War in Ukraine: towards South African mediation?
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on February 13, 2020 in front of Parliament in Cape Town.
REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham/File Photo
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Could South Africa play a role of mediator in the crisis between Russia and Ukraine?
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was approached for the role because of his good relationship with Moscow.
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The South African president
confirms having spoken on Thursday by telephone with Vladimir Putin.
“
I contacted him,
specifies President Ramaphosa
, to inform him of our position
”.
Namely that this conflict must be resolved through mediation and negotiation between the parties.
Cyril Ramaphosa indicates
that "because of its relations with Russia and as a member of the
BRICS
, South Africa has been contacted to play a mediating role
".
Without specifying by whom.
He adds that President Putin appreciates "
South Africa's balanced approach
".
Last week
Pretoria abstained from voting on a UN resolution
condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Pretoria and Moscow have good relations.
Under apartheid, the Soviet Union supported the ANC, the liberation movement now in power.
The ties are still close.
Both countries are members of BRICS, an organization that brings together five major emerging powers.
And according to the South African opposition, one of the donors to the ANC – which is in financial difficulties – is a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin.
Reason why the ANC would refuse to condemn Russia.
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South Africa
Ukraine
Russia
Cyril Ramaphosa
Vladimir Poutine
BRICS