The Brazzaville Foundation, an independent organization focused on developing peace initiatives, conducted a series of visits to Russia, Ukraine, and six African countries from May 22 to June 5 to facilitate "key diplomatic meetings" for the African leaders' peace mission to Moscow and Kiev.
During the visits, the mediating foundation held discussions with distinguished officials from these countries, including high-level representatives from the governments of Russia and Ukraine, the foreign minister of Egypt, and the presidents of Congo (Brazzaville), Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa.
At the heart of these discussions was the "Road to Peace" initiative, led by African leaders, to find a lasting solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, which has greatly affected the entire world, including Africa.
"Today, the Brazzaville Foundation is pleased to announce that it has successfully obtained the approval and participation of these esteemed leaders in the initiative," the foundation said in a press release on Monday. "This initiative is expected to culminate in a visit by the participating African Heads of State to Ukraine and Russia before the end of June 2023."
Alongside Egypt, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, and Comoros, whose president is also serving as president of the African Union, the Brazzaville Foundation played a vital role in coordinating the process and has fulfilled its primary objective of facilitating dialogue, the statement said.
The organization noted that after a successful diplomatic engagement and a productive meeting between the participating heads of state, it was agreed that the respective countries' diplomatic channels would handle the coordination of the leaders' trip to Moscow and Kiev, including logistical arrangements and diplomatic communications.
"The Foundation is immensely honoured to have been entrusted by all the African Heads of State to continue in its role in support of this initiative," it said. "The Brazzaville Foundation expresses its deep gratitude for the trust and confidence placed in it by all the Governments and Heads of State involved."
The foundation concluded that it looks forward to continuing to play an essential role in promoting peaceful relations and facilitating dialogue on the African continent and beyond.
The African peace mission to Russia and Ukraine was unveiled by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in mid-May. He said that both Moscow and Kiev had agreed to receive a mission of African leaders with their peace initiative on the Ukraine conflict.
The African peace mission would consist of South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema, Senegal's Macky Sall, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, Egypt's Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Republic of the Congo's Denis Sassou Nguesso.