Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The Ukraine-Russia war is an ongoing conflict marked by tensions between Ukraine and Russia. It began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and escalated into a full-scale war in Eastern Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties, displacement of civilians, and significant political and economic ramifications. International efforts to find a resolution continue, but the situation remains unresolved and volatile, with sporadic outbreaks of violence and strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On Friday, June 16, the President of South Africa urged Ukraine and Russia to reduce the intensity of the ongoing war.
After arriving with the Presidents of Senegal, Zambia, and the Comoros, the leaders visited Bucha, a suburb of Ukraine’s capital, where the Russian army has been accused of causing civilian casualties in 2022.
During Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit, an air raid in Kyiv served as a stark reminder of the challenges they face.
“While we were here, we learned about missile strikes, and such activities are detrimental to peace. We strongly advocate for de-escalation from both sides, allowing peace to find a resolution to the conflict.”
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, declined talks with Russia during the delegation’s meeting.
In addition to South Africa, senior officials from Uganda, Egypt, and The Congo are also part of the delegation. They are scheduled to travel to Moscow on Saturday, June 17.
According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report as of May 8, a staggering 23,606 civilian casualties have been recorded in Ukraine.
This African peace initiative coincides with Ukraine launching a counteroffensive to regain control of occupied areas, utilizing advanced weaponry provided by countries such as the United States, France, the UK, and Germany in attacks along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.
China presented its own peace proposal at the end of February.
