SOUTH Africa sees dialogue as the only way to solve the Ukraine conflict, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday, reiterating his country’s position on the war after talks in Pretoria with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
South Africa abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has resisted calls to condemn Russia.
“Engagement, dialogue and negotiation. I don’t see any other way other than negotiation and dialogue,” Ramaphosa told a news conference standing alongside Scholz.
Ukraine and allies including Germany say the war is an unprovoked act of aggression, whereas Russia calls it actions a “special military operation” to weaken its neighbour’s military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists.
South Africa has close historical ties to Moscow because of the Soviet Union’s support for the anti-apartheid struggle and sees itself as a champion of the non-aligned movement.
South Africa is the third and final leg of Scholz’s first Africa tour since becoming chancellor in December.
Germany is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner and a major source of tourist arrivals.
South Africa is currently home to around 600 German companies and bilateral trade between our two countries is growing.
“Germany is committed to support our efforts towards industrialisation, infrastructure development and job creation as laid out in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan,” said Ramaphosa.
“Germany has been a partner in development since the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries and the inauguration of the Bi-National Commission in 1996. This cooperation has been in a range of fields, including good governance and strengthening democracy, HIV prevention, climate actions and energy.”
INSIDE POLITICS. Additional reporting by REUTERS.
