Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
In a historic meeting held in Saint Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted African leaders on Saturday to discuss mediation efforts for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting, which followed the African leaders’ meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv the previous day, marked a significant step toward finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Representatives from Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, Uganda, Congo Republic, Comoros, and South Africa formed the African delegation. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa presented a ten-point plan aimed at achieving lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine, with a focus on confidence-building measures, including the recognition of international borders.
President Ramaphosa, expressing gratitude to President Putin and his fellow heads of state, underscored the African nation’s commitment to promoting peace and their willingness to consider all perspectives involved in the conflict.
The African leaders’ ten-point proposal included key elements such as listening to all parties involved, respecting different viewpoints, and building upon existing foundations for peace. They emphasized the urgent need for a negotiated settlement to end the war, highlighting the detrimental impact it has had on the African continent and the global community, particularly in terms of rising commodity prices and fuel costs.
De-escalation of the conflict emerged as a crucial priority for the African leaders. They emphasized the importance of adhering to internationally recognized principles of sovereignty, as outlined in the UN Charter, and ensuring security guarantees for all involved countries.
Addressing the economic ramifications of the war, the African leaders called for the removal of blockages that impede the movement of grains across the Black Sea, facilitating access to markets and alleviating hardships caused by rising food prices. They also stressed the urgent need for humanitarian support, the release of prisoners of war on both sides and the safe return of children affected by the conflict to their homes.
Recognizing the devastating impact of war, the African leaders underscored the importance of post-war reconstruction efforts and expressed their commitment to supporting the reconstruction process once the conflict is resolved. They emphasized the necessity for continued engagement and dialogue beyond the current meeting, acknowledging that resolving conflicts requires sustained discussions and collaboration.
The presentation of the African leaders’ ten-point plan represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of peace between Russia and Ukraine. While their proposal aims to build consensus and draws upon existing international efforts, it faces considerable challenges in garnering full acceptance from both sides.
However, President Putin expressed skepticism regarding certain confidence-building measures, including the recognition of international borders, which Ukraine had already dismissed. Putin claimed that Russia had never refused talks with Ukraine and instead argued that Kyiv had obstructed discussions.
During the meeting with the African leaders, President Zelenskiy reiterated the necessity for Russia to withdraw its forces from the occupied Ukrainian territories as a precondition for peace talks. However, President Putin staunchly rejected this condition.
The fundamental disagreement between the two sides revolves around Russia’s insistence on recognizing the “new realities” resulting from its annexation of Ukrainian territories, an assertion firmly rejected by Ukraine. Consequently, Russia refuses to relinquish its annexed territories as a condition to commence peace talks.
While Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed some alignment with the African plan, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized its realization as “difficult.” Nevertheless, Russia expressed interest in continuing dialogue with the African countries involved.
These divergent views and the lack of agreement on critical issues exemplify the immense challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution between Russia and Ukraine. Despite the comprehensive nature of the African leaders’ ten-point plan, it faces significant obstacles to garnering full acceptance from both sides.
As mediation efforts continue, the international community eagerly awaits further developments, remaining hopeful that constructive dialogue and compromise can pave the way for a lasting peace settlement. The involvement of African leaders brings a unique perspective and the potential for innovative solutions, as they strive to find common ground and bring an end to the devastating conflict.