“Based on our relations with the Russian Federation and as a member of BRICS, South Africa has been approached to play a mediation role,” Ramaphosa tweeted.
CAPE TOWN – President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin following a phone call between the two where the South African president sought to gain an understanding of the situation unfolding between Russia and Ukraine.
“I outlined our position on the conflict that has unfolded as well as our belief that the conflict should be resolved through mediation and negotiation between the parties and – if need be – with the help of agencies that can help bring a solution to the conflict.
“President Putin appreciated our balanced approach. We believe this position enables both parties to subject the conflict to mediation and negotiation.
“Based on our relations with the Russian Federation and as a member of BRICS, South Africa has been approached to play a mediation role,” Ramaphosa tweeted.
This happened as a war of words erupted between the ANC and the DA in the Western Cape after the provincial government resolved that no Russian Embassy or Consulate official or their staff will be invited to any event or meeting organised by themselves. Nor would the DA government attend any events or meetings organised by the Russian Embassy and its Consulates.
An issue of concern to the Western Cape provincial government was what it described as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the “ambiguous” position taken by the ANC-led national government in response to it.
However the ANC in the Western Cape said Premier Alan Winde and his provincial government had crossed the line, calling the move an attempt by the DA to run a “parallel state”.
The government abstained from voting against Russia at the UN Assembly last week, saying the resolution did not create an “environment conducive for diplomacy, dialogue, and mediation”.
In a statement, the party in the Western Cape province said: “One thing we will not accept is a racist and repugnant DA government’s continued cheap attempts at federalism.
Winde’s spokesperson, Cayla Murray said it was decided that the provincial cabinet would adopt a clear position on this conflict. “While doing so is not common for a province, it was viewed as essential to make clear to our own residents, to the people of Ukraine, and to the rest of the world that we cannot and will not remain ’neutral’ in the face of such a cruel attack on the democratic values that we all hold dear,“ she said.
Cape Times
