African Leaders in Peace Mission in Ukraine.

A peacekeeping mission led by seven African heads of state with the aim of negotiating peace in Ukraine was announced today. The delegation will visit Kiev and Moscow next week to present a resolution plan to the respective leaders of the two countries.

An African Mission for World Peace

The mission, organized by the Brazzaville Foundation, was scheduled for June 16th in Kiev, where they will meet with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and later, on June 17th, in Saint Petersburg, with the President of the Russian Federation. , Vladimir Putin.

The Brazzaville Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) created in 2014 in London, has been facilitating important diplomatic meetings to prepare this African peacekeeping mission, nicknamed “Path to Peace” to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

This peace effort is led by the Heads of State of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa; Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani; Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso; Uganda, Yoweri Museveni; Senegal, Macky Sall; Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, and Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The Russia-Africa Summit

On Thursday, President Ramaphosa had a telephone conversation with President Putin about this peacekeeping mission, as well as the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit, to be held at the end of July in St. Petersburg.

The role of South Africa, and particularly that of President Ramaphosa, in the peace negotiations has been crucial. This is a significant effort to bring an African perspective to international conflict resolution. South Africa's contribution demonstrates the importance of international collaboration and dialogue in achieving global peace.

“As much as a conflict spreads in another part of the world, that does not mean that we should be dissuaded from signing agreements that bring us closer and that we can cooperate in a much more effective way”, said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

African leaders have been meeting to prepare for these meetings and discuss ways to end the conflict in Ukraine. This peace effort is appreciated and welcomed by global leaders, including the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa who is currently in South Africa for the celebrations of the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities.

Bilateral Cooperation South Africa and Portugal

Presidents Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Cyril Ramaphosa announced a bilateral defense cooperation agreement during a press conference in Pretoria. This is the first agreement of this type that post-Apartheid democratic South Africa has entered into with a NATO member country.

In addition to the peace talks, the two leaders took the opportunity to discuss issues of regional and international importance, including the persistent conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“I wanted to salute the role of South Africa and President Ramaphosa in the African peacekeeping mission that will move almost immediately to the theater of war”.

“By giving the African vision, for what we all want deep down: that there be peace. and a security that is European, but also global”, declared the Portuguese head of state.

Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the signing of this cooperation agreement is a clear sign that South Africa and Portugal are nations that seek to collaborate at different levels. Collaboration extends beyond trade, politics and investment to more complex areas, including defence.

“This agreement is really a signal for both countries and for our peoples that South Africa and Portugal are two countries that cooperate and want to cooperate at many different levels”.

“Not only in trade and politics and investment, but in several other more complicated areas, and we should be celebrating because these two countries are cooperating at the level of Defence”, stressed the South African head of state.

President Ramaphosa highlighted that, regardless of the existence of conflicts in other parts of the world, this should not dissuade the establishment of agreements that promote closer ties and effective cooperation between nations. This principle is based on the need to create a more peaceful and secure world, a goal that transcends borders and becomes a matter of global concern.

Conclusion

These African leaders have shown remarkable dedication to resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This peace mission represents an important milestone in the history of international relations, showing how collaboration and dialogue can be powerful tools in conflict resolution.

The success of this mission will depend on the commitment and capacity for dialogue of all involved, but the actions already taken by African leaders are a significant step towards a more peaceful future.

What do you think of this peace mission? Do you believe that Africa is capable of doing what no one else has managed? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.

Picture: © 2023 DR