JOHANNESBURG: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Chinese President Xi Jinping about an upcoming mission by African leaders to Russia and Ukraine in an effort to mediate peace, according to a statement released by the South African presidency on Saturday.
Last month, Ramaphosa announced that Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had agreed to receive a delegation of six African presidents scheduled to visit this month. The African Presidents’ delegation will consist of the presidents from the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia.
The South African presidency did not specify the timing of Ramaphosa’s conversation with President Xi but stated that the Chinese leader “commended the initiative by the African continent and acknowledged the impact the conflict has had on human lives and on food security in Africa.”
China Proposes Political Settlement to Ukraine Conflict
In February, China released a paper calling for a “political settlement” to the conflict in Ukraine. Western countries have cautioned that such a settlement could potentially enable Russia to retain control over much of the territory it has seized. Although China claims to be a neutral party, it has faced criticism for its refusal to condemn Moscow’s actions and its close strategic partnership with Russia.
The African nations have been significantly affected by the surge in grain prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as Ukraine is a major global source of wheat and other agricultural commodities. The conflict has also had broader implications for world trade.
The peace mission takes place as South Africa seeks to enhance its reputation amid accusations of growing alignment with the Kremlin.
