South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the war in Ukraine could have been avoided if NATO had heeded the warnings of some of its leaders.
“The war could have been avoided had NATO heeded warnings from its own leaders and officials over the years that its eastward expansion would lead to more, not less, instability in the region,” Ramaphosa said. in parliament on Thursday.
He said that South Africa aligns itself with the principle that countries must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other states.
He said that while it is important to understand and articulate the causes of the conflict and advocate for peacebuilding measures, “we cannot tolerate the use of force or the violation of international law.”
However, Ramaphosa said that measures such as harsh sanctions can prolong and intensify the conflict.
The conflict, according to him, demonstrates the need for a “multilateral approach to peace and security issues” and also demonstrates “weaknesses in the structure, practices and architecture of the United Nations.”
Ramaphosa said that the UN Security Council should be reviewed because it does not reflect current realities.
“There is a tendency for the most powerful countries to use their positions as permanent members of the UN Security Council to serve their national interests rather than the interests of world peace and stability,” he said.
Ramaphosa said his country will continue to advocate for conditions conducive to a lasting resolution rather than taking an adversarial position as many expect.
“While there are people within our country and elsewhere who want South Africa to take a more antagonistic position, our position seeks to contribute to the creation of conditions that make a lasting resolution of the conflict possible.”
He called for the revitalization of the Non-Aligned Movement, “to ensure that countries that are not part of the hegemonic contests between the great powers can work together to build peace throughout the world.”
“We join the calls, led by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, for de-escalation, dialogue and a return to diplomacy,” he said, adding that South Africa will support genuine multilateral efforts to end conflict and achieve lasting peace.
Al Jazeera reported that Ramaphosa said that Putin had personally assured him that the negotiations were progressing. He said that he had not yet spoken with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but that he wanted to.
On Friday, Ramaphosa said that South Africa had been asked to mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He did not say who had asked him to intervene.
Russo-Ukrainian War
Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24 in what it called a “special operation” to “de-Nazify” the Eastern European country.
The nearly month-long war has left 847 civilians dead and 1,399 wounded, according to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR).
As of March 16, the UN migration agency estimates that almost 6.5 million people have been displaced within Ukraine, in addition to the 3.2 million refugees who have already fled the country.
Estimates from the International Organization for Migration suggest that more people may be displaced in Ukraine than the 13 million displaced in Syria during the war there.
Chiamaka Okafor is a reporter for Premium Times in collaboration with report to the worldthat unites local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on hidden topics around the world.