No chance of African peacekeeping mission over Ukraine war succeeding - analyst
Political analyst, Dr. Piet Craucamp says he does not think President Cyril Ramaphosa will succeed with the peacekeeping mission between war-ridden Russia and Ukraine as he is not a trained mediator.
Ramaphosa is in Ukraine as part of an African peace mission which will attempt to find a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine-Russia war.
The President’s security team has not been able to join him as they have been stuck along with journalists in Warsaw, Poland for the past 24 hours amid what appears to be an escalating diplomatic rift.
The head of Ramaphosa's security team Major General Wally Rhoode said the South African government ‘obtained all the necessary permits’ and has been engaging with the Polish government for two weeks over the visit.
However, Craucamps thinks the whole trip might be a moot exercise.
“I think there is absolutely no chance of success because we know exactly what the Ukraine President Zelensky said is the basic requirement for such a peace and that is Russia must withdraw from all territories of the Ukraine. As it is, Russia argues that Ukraine must accept the new territories they occupy,” says Craucamp.
“I think the peacekeeping mission on South Africa’s part is a symbolic gesture of involvement because these people are not schooled or experienced in any way to mediate a conflict of this nature.”
Following concerns of the President’s safety, Craucamp says the large number of security detail cleared to travel with him is unnecessary.
“I don’t think the President’s life is at risk. I think the Russians are aware of all the movement of people in Ukraine. They talk about a hundred and something security personnel accompanying the President and it sounds massively excessive” added Craucamp.
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