Africa peace mission to Russia, Ukraine 'great initiative' - Mbeki

Mbeki made the remarks at his 81st birthday celebrations in Braamfontein on Sunday.

The weekend mission included the presidents of South Africa, Senegal, Comoros and Zambia and top officials from Uganda, Egypt and Congo-Brazzaville.

Ramaphosa listed 10 principles, which included de-escalation, the recognition of countries' sovereignty, security guarantees for all countries, unimpeded grain exports through the Black Sea and sending prisoners of war and children back to their countries of origin.

Putin had praised the delegation's "balanced" approach and said he was "open to a constructive dialogue with all those who want to implement peace based on the principles of justice and respect for the parties' legitimate interests".

Zelensky spoke on Friday after Ramaphosa called for de-escalation following their talks in Kyiv; he repeated his position that Ukraine must recover territories lost to Russia to achieve peace.

“The human and negative economic impact and tension arising from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is a grave situation that affects all of us in an interconnected world," Ramaphosa said.

Mbeki believes the African leaders had to listen to both Russia and Ukraine to fully grasp the issues faced by the two countries.

"This African leadership that has gone Moscow and to Kyiv have said that their first task is to listen,” the former president said.

"I think it is important that they should understand what the Russian Federation is saying and what Ukraine is saying to have a full grasp at the matters and issues at hand. I think it is only then that they will be able to elaborate on the suggestion from Africa as to what we, as Africans, think should be done to end the war and come out of the crisis. 

"I hope they have listened carefully to what has been said because it is only after that it will be possible for us to say what needs to be done."

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