On Africa Day, Cyril Ramaphosa defends the policy of non-alignment

2023-05-25T20:50:36.506Z

Highlights: South Africa today celebrated Africa Day, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity. On this occasion, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered an offensive speech that contrasted with the atmosphere of the festivities. The ceremony was held at the highly symbolic "Cradle of Humanity" on the outskirts of Johannesburg, a paleontological site where many remains of prehistoric men have been found. But for a celebration of Africa, there was a lot of talk about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

South Africa today celebrated Africa Day, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity. On this occasion, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered...

On Africa Day, Cyril Ramaphosa defends the policy of non-alignment

South Africa today celebrated Africa Day, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity. On this occasion, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered an offensive speech that contrasted with the atmosphere of the festivities.

Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, here during questions and answers in Parliament, in Cape Town, May 11, 2023. REUTERS - ESA ALEXANDER

Text by: RFI Follow

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With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Romain Chanson

The ceremony was held at the highly symbolic "Cradle of Humanity" on the outskirts of Johannesburg, a paleontological site where many remains of prehistoric men have been found.

But for a celebration of Africa, there was a lot of talk about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised countries that require Africans to take a stand. "We see Africa being dragged into conflicts that are far removed from it. Some countries, including ours, are threatened with sanctions for pursuing an independent foreign policy and adopting a non-aligned position.

An allusion to the United States, whose House of Representatives has passed a law to counter Russia's influence in Africa and which raises fears of sanctions against countries perceived as allies of Moscow. Africans are independent and they work for peace, said Cyril Ramaphosa, referring to the delegation of six heads of state who will visit Ukraine and Russia in the coming days. "Africans want to promote peace, no matter where conflicts erupt, this is our mission in life," he said.

Cyril Ramaphosa has not forgotten the ongoing conflicts on the continent, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, northern Mozambique and Sudan. The South African head of state called on the belligerents to stop fighting to bring peace.

>> READ ALSO: African unity is 60 years old: Kwame Nkrumah "lived his vision of a united Africa"

On Africa Day, Cyril Ramaphosa defends the policy of non-alignment

On Africa Day, Cyril Ramaphosa defends the policy of non-alignment

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