South African minister in Russia to discuss peace as nation is criticised for Putin friendship
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa is increasing its efforts to help bring an end the Ukraine war with a minister visiting Russia on Tuesday to discuss a peace mission.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent a team of high-ranking officials to Ukraine in preparation for the peace mission.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, arrives in Russia on Tuesday to discuss the initiative, as well as the issue of food security which, in Africa, has been badly affected by the Ukraine conflict, with the price of grain and fertiliser significantly increasing.
The African Leaders’ Peace Mission to Russia and Ukraine was announced last week by Mr Ramaphosa and also includes the Heads of State from Zambia, Senegal, DRC, Uganda and Egypt.
Mr Ramaphosa spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in phone calls at the weekend, as well as to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Preparations are now underway for the heads of state of these six African nations to visit Moscow and Kyiv as early as June, to try to bring about an end to the conflict.
South Africa has come under increasing criticism for its stance towards Russia, which has included participating in joint naval drills, an invitation to Mr Putin to attend the Brics summit in August and most recently accusations from the US ambassador that South Africa had supplied a sanctioned Russian cargo ship with arms. The US ambassador’s claims led to him being reprimanded by South Africa and the Ambassador offering an apology.
South Africa will host the 15th Brics Summit from 22 August in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa announced last week on Thursday. Brics is an acronym for five regional economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Dianne Kohler Barnard of the opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the party’s shadow Minister of State Security said: “Given the recent claims made by the US Ambassador in South Africa regarding alleged ammunition supply to Russia by South Africa, this visit is yet another diplomatic blunder that could cost South Africa dearly.
“The DA strongly believes that any engagement with Russia, particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, should be approached with the utmost caution and consideration for South Africa’s international reputation.”
An investigation into whether South Africa did supply weapons to Russia has been initiated by the president.
In a slight shift from its previous language – and from its voting record in the UN General Assembly on the war in Ukraine – South Africa has said it recognises Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, said: “South Africa supports the principle that [UN] members shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other states.”
