Johannesburg, Mar 4, 2008 (PTI). The South African government clarified why it did not vote in the UN General Assembly to reprimand Russia’s belligerent military operation against Ukraine. The resolution does nothing to foster diplomacy and dialogue, or mediation. On Wednesday, 141 of the 193 UN Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution. Thirty-five other members, including South Africa, voted against it.
The text of the resolution deplores Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
According to the statement by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the resolution we have just discussed today does not create an environment conducive to diplomacy, dialogue and mediation.
The text as it stands now could create a bigger wedge between the parties than helping to resolve the conflict.
Two members of the United Nations are involved in an armed dispute, which the UN has the responsibility to prevent. The UN must therefore take decisions and implement actions that lead to a constructive outcome that is conducive to sustainable peace between the sides, according to the statement.
These comments were in sharp contrast to the South African government’s strongly-worded statement against the Russian offensive issued last week in which it had expressed dismay at the prevailing situation in Ukraine and urged Russia to immediately withdraw its forces and underscored the need for a peaceful resolution in line with the United Nations Charter.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, launched an aggressive attack on Ukraine on February 24, warning other countries that any attempt at interfering with his move would result in consequences they have never seen. The Republic of South Africa is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in Ukraine. The South African government said that it regretted the state of the situation, despite the calls for diplomacy.
South Africa urges Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine in accordance to the United Nations Charter. It states that all member countries are required to settle international disputes through peaceful means so that international security and justice do not suffer.
After sources claimed President Cyril Ramaphosa was unhappy about the initial statement, South Africa’s government changed its stance.
It has caused a political storm in the country, with opposition parties calling it a missed opportunity for the country on the international stage. Thursday’s statement said that the UN resolution should be welcomed the beginning of negotiations between both parties.
It was suggested that the Security Council and the Good Offices UN Secretary-General could have been given greater prominence in the resolution.
South Africa would prefer an open, transparent, and transparent process to reach a resolution. This would have allowed everyone, as equal members of Assembly, to express our views and, ideally, reach a level to understand before the text was presented, the statement said. It also stated that the Emergency Special Session was being held because the Security Council failed to address the matter.
We must work together as member states of the organization to promote peace.
It stated that gestures that create the impression of promoting peace but do not actually promote it will not help. PTI FH VVM
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