South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the forthcoming visit by African leaders to Russia and Ukraine in an effort to bring an end to hostilities, according to the South African presidency.
In a phone call between the two leaders on Friday, Ramaphosa emphasized the African leaders’ support for initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict through peaceful means.
China’s President Xi acknowledged the impact of the conflict on human lives and food security in Africa and commended the African continent’s initiative in proposing a peace plan.
The war in Ukraine has triggered the displacement of millions of people, soaring food prices, and has had a detrimental effect on global prosperity.
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With various peace proposals emerging from different capitals, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently sought to engage the Global South, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia, in an effort to find a resolution. Ukraine’s condition for any peace deal is the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory.
President Ramaphosa announced the African peace plan on May 16, with the backing of leaders from Senegal, Uganda, Egypt, the Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.
The details of the plan have not been disclosed to the public. In addition to discussing the peace plan, Ramaphosa and Xi also touched upon the upcoming summit of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—scheduled to be hosted by South Africa in August.
There is speculation that South Africa may consider legal options if Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is subject to a war crimes arrest warrant related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, attends the BRICS summit.
As an International Criminal Court member, South Africa would be obligated to arrest Putin if he participates in the summit in Johannesburg.
