Peace mission to Ukraine, Russia meant to prove SA’s neutrality – analyst
Political analyst Theo Venter says the peace initiative by African leaders to Russia and Ukraine should not be seen as a complete failure.
The mission was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and included the presidents of Senegal, Comoros and Zambia as well as top officials from Uganda, Egypt and Congo-Brazzaville.
Ramaphosa said African leaders involved in this weekend’s peace initiative received a positive reception from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The trip was not completely futile, despite all the mishaps that happened. It was a trip to sensitise people to the need and absolute necessity of peace in that part of the country and the impact the war has on the rest of the world,” said Venter.
Venter believes any peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine will need the assistance of China due to the influence the country has over Russia.
He said the trip by the African leaders was also an attempt to prove South Africa’s neutrality in the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
“Without a doubt, this was an exercise in working on our neutrality because so far, South Africa’s role is paradoxical neutrality because although we claim to be neutral, we are doing things and involved in things that do not qualify us to be absolutely neutral. So, this was an effort to change the perception that South Africa is biased regarding Russia.”
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