Presidency: Africa peace mission to Ukraine, Russia 'imminent'
Spokesperson in the Presidency Vincent Magwenya says a delegation of five African heads of state, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, will soon travel to Ukraine and Russia for a peace mission.
Magwenya briefed the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday.
Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine in February last year but thus far there have been no direct negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky to try and bring an end to hostilities.
Ramaphosa has always maintained that the South African government believes the conflict can be resolved through peaceful negotiations.
The Presidents involved in the African Peace Initiative include the President of the Comoros Islands and current President of the African Union Othman Ghazali, President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Senegal Macky Sall, President of Uganda HE Yoweri Museveni, and President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.
The foreign ministers of the respective countries were tasked to finalise the elements of a road map to peace.
Magwenya said he can't confirm the official date of the trip due to the sensitivity of the security situation in Ukraine.
"We are anticipating that quite imminently, a delegation of African heads of state will head to Russia and Ukraine.
“However, due to the sensitivity of the security situation on the ground, particularly in Ukraine, we are unable to confirm publicly the dates on which the delegation of the African heads of state will travel to both countries.
“We will most likely confirm on the day that peace talks are taking place, and potentially even confirm once the delegation has left Ukraine," said Magwenya.
He emphasised that the leaders remain committed to seeing through the peace mission.
“President Ramaphosa has participated in a number of consultations with the mission participants, as well as consultations with both Heads of States that are involved in the conflict, the UN General Secretary as well as Heads of State that are members of BRICS.
“There have been a number of consultations with regard to this peace mission, with the aim of getting some kind of support to the mission but also alignment,” he added.
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