Confusion surrounds whether Ramaphosa will be part of Ukraine-Russia delegation

Despite the attempt by six heads of African states to mediate between Russia and Ukraine being welcomed and encouraged, confusion still surrounds whether President Cyril Ramaphosa will be part of the delegation.

Ramaphosa the past weekend presented the African leaders’ peace mission to both President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky “during separate telephone calls” after claims that SA was not non-aligned and openly supported Russia.

Ramaphosa going?

Following reports that Ramaphosa will be in Russia and Ukraine as early as next month to start peace talks between the two nations, William Baloyi, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) chief director for media engagement, said nothing had been confirmed yet.

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Baloyi said despite Ramaphosa initiating the peace mission, it was not yet clear whether he would lead the mediation, or if he would be a part of the delegation sent for the mission.

“It’s not an SA mission, we are simply just a part of it, but as soon as everything is confirmed we will also communicate the when, where and how of the mission,” Baloyi said.

However, News24 reported that the director-general of the department of international relations and cooperation, Zane Dangor, confirmed the president would be a part of the delegation, alongside leaders from Zambia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda and Egypt.

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“In early June, the six heads of state will be shuttling between the two capitals [Moscow and Kyiv] to engage in the facility roll and at least get to a ceasefire,” Dangor said while briefing the portfolio committee on international relations about the upcoming Brics summit.

“This initiative has been shared with the UN secretary-general [Antonio Guterres], who has expressed his support, and we will also engage with other actors, including the United States.”

Mission welcomed

The spokesperson of the Ukrainian Association of SA, Dzvinka Kachur, said they welcomed the mission.

“It’s sad that it had to take 14 months for such a mission to start, but we are excited. The Ukrainian president [Zelensky] has his peace plan and we would love to see what the heads of state would like to promote. This would be very welcome,” she said.

“We would, however, love to hear the plan calling on Russia to withdraw its military forces – at least from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station which causes the risk for the whole planet.”

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Steven Gruzd, the SA Institute of International Affairs head of the African governance and diplomacy programme, also welcomed the mission.

“Any attempt to try and make peace in that part of the world, in what has become a very vicious and violent conflict, should be supported and encouraged.

“Although mediators have largely failed so far, I’m not sure what difference these leaders will bring that others haven’t bought previously. I’m not sure if the conflict is at a point where a negotiated settlement would actually work,” he said.

Russia and Ukraine believe they can win

“Both Russia and Ukraine still believe that they can win this on the battlefield and, therefore, get better terms when they do eventually come to negotiate.

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“I don’t think SA has the drive and seriousness to really make a difference. Rather than it just being a trip to shake hands and have a photo opportunity, there should be real substance to something like this,” Gruzd said.

He said the question remained whether Russia and Ukraine saw these African countries as sufficiently non-aligned and neutral.