The African peacekeeping mission will continue its efforts to find ways to achieve peace in Ukraine and will maintain appropriate contacts with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Monday in a weekly address to the people of South Africa.
"Both presidents [of Ukraine Vladimir] Zelensky and [Russian Federation Vladimir] Putin agreed to further engagements following this initial visit [of the African mission]," he said. "As engagements with both parties and African leaders continue, it is our hope that as the process moves forward, a foundation can be set for a de-escalation of the conflict and negotiation, the two crucial preconditions for a lasting peace."
According to Ramaphosa, South Africa believes the conflict in Ukraine should be ended through negotiations and diplomacy, taking into account the principles of non-alignment with military blocs.
"As South Africa we continue to maintain our position that this conflict [in Ukraine] should be settled through negotiation and by diplomatic means, in line with founding principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, and that it is in the collective interest of everyone that it come to an end soon," Ramaphosa said in a statement following a visit of African leaders to Ukraine and Russia.
The South African president also said that the warm reception he enjoyed both in Moscow and Kiev is a sign that the proposal of African leaders will be considered seriously.
"One of the key achievements of the Peace Mission was the positive reception we received from both sides, which we found encouraging and which provides cause for optimism that the proposals will be given consideration," he said.
He added that people's lives are top priority for him and other African leaders and "everything should be done" to end the hostilities.
In addition, the president stated that African countries are highly interested in an unhindered supplies of grain, fertilizers and other resources through the Black Sea, which is being hampered by the conflict.
"Another point of the peace proposal being put forward by African leaders [to the presidents of the Russian Federation and Ukraine] is for the opening up of the movement of grains across the Black Sea for grains from Russia or Ukraine to reach world markets," he said.
The president stated that as Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of grain and producers of fertilizers intended for African markets, the conflict has a real impact on African countries and the continent's economy.
He stated that according to the African Development Bank, the conflict caused a shortage of about 30 million tons of grain on the African continent, and also led to a sharp increase in its cost.
"As a result of this conflict African countries are negatively affected by the rising costs of food and energy."
The President of South Africa noted that the peacekeeping missions of African countries have historical significance.
"This initiative has been historic in that it is the first time African leaders have embarked on a peace mission beyond the shores of the continent," he stressed. "Although the delegation comprised countries that have taken diverse positions on the various UN resolutions on the conflict, the countries represented have all taken a non-aligned stance on this issue. This has lent credibility to the mission and engendered trust from both sides."
The delegation of seven African countries, which included the Presidents of Zambia, Comoros, Senegal, South Africa, the Prime Minister of Egypt, as well as envoys from the Republic of Congo and Uganda, visited Kiev on June 16, where they held talks with Volodymyr Zelensky.
The next day, the mission was received in Russian St. Petersburg by Vladimir Putin. On behalf of the delegation, Ramaphosa outlined on June 17 a plan of 10 principles that can lay the foundation for the peace process in Ukraine.
It was agreed that at the Russia-Africa summit in July in St. Petersburg, the mission would continue relevant consultations with the Russian side. The schedule and format of its consultations with Kiev has not yet been disclosed.
Following Putin's meeting with the African delegation, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian president, said that "there were certain themes in the ideas that were outlined at the talks by the members of the delegations, which can be fully implemented."