There is a likelihood South Africa may play host to peace talks between the presidents of the warring countries Russia and Ukraine if they agree to negotiate.
This is according to minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who hinted that the mission of several African heads of state may include a proposal to have South Africa as the venue for possible peace negotiations.
The seven African heads of state, from Zambia, Congo Brazzaville, Senegal, Uganda, Egypt, Comoros Islands and South Africa, will in the coming weeks meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky separately to convince them to sit down for a meeting in an attempt to bring an end to the conflict.
According to Ntshavheni, South Africans should prepare themselves in the event that the meetings between the African leaders and the presidents result in a decision to host both of them in this country for peace talks.
“We must be receptive to the possibility of South Africa hosting a peace summit.
“I'm not saying it's not going to happen [and] I'm not saying it's going to happen, but I'm saying we must prepare ourselves to say that it is [a] likelihood that if we are part of the initiative for peace and a venue is sought the first place you look is within your own backyard.”
Though she did not say when such peace talks could take place, the African leaders were likely to push for the meeting to take place before the Brics summit to be hosted in South Africa in August.
South Africa is stuck between a rock and a hard place over the hosting of the summit as the attendance of Putin is likely to cause a diplomatic nightmare given the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against him.
She said that the government was considering all options, which included either withdrawing Putin’s invitation and having him join the meeting virtually, and moving the summit to another country.
“When the IMC [interministerial committee] has finalised its work, we have indicated that the announcement would be made on what is the final decision as it relates to the Brics summit,” she said. “As things stands South Africa continues hosting the Brics summit here and any other announcement will be made when the relevant decisions have been taken.
“We are considering all options. What we have indicated is that we work in pursuit of this country's national interest and the upholding of the rule of law in this country.”
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.