A group of African leaders is set to embark on a mediation mission to Russia and Ukraine in mid-June, with the aim of contributing to a ceasefire and lasting peace in the region, according to an announcement by the South African presidency.
The decision was reached during a virtual meeting of the African heads of state, who confirmed their readiness to visit Ukraine and Russia. The specific date of the mission was not disclosed, but it was stated that the foreign ministers of the involved countries will finalize a roadmap towards peace.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who initiated the peace mission, had previously obtained agreement from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to receive the delegation comprising six African leaders.
Ramaphosa emphasized that the African leaders’ mission is focused on peace and aims to secure commitments from both sides to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He stressed the need for the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to explain their perspectives on the war and their minimum requirements for ending it.
The South African president also highlighted the impact of the conflict on Africa, particularly in terms of food prices, grain, and fuel, as well as its global ramifications. The mediation mission seeks to present the African viewpoint on the consequences of the war to Europe and the rest of the world.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who expressed gratitude to Ramaphosa for his role in the initiative, emphasized the importance of understanding the African vision of a war that extends beyond Europe and has global implications.
The delegation, led by Ramaphosa, includes the leaders of Congo-Brazzaville, Egypt, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia. The President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, who currently chairs the African Union, also participated in the meeting.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had severe repercussions on world trade, including the increase in cereal prices, which has had a significant impact on Africa.
