By OBAKENG MAJE
25 August 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it welcomes developments and efforts to broker peace between the countries of Russia and Ukraine. The former liberal party said this signals an end towards a conflict that had ravaged the two countries, with the ripple effects on regional stability, the global economy, accounting for many deaths and displacement of millions of citizens.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said in the midst of this conflict, they are consistent with their policy of non-alignment, non-aggression and call for resolution of conflict by peaceful means. Bhengu said their quest is to see a world devoid of war.
“South Africa has collaborated with six African nations comprising Zambia, Senegal, Comoros, Uganda and Egypt. Led by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa, they have met with both Russian president, Vladimir Putin and Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelensky in an effort to broker peace between the two countries.
“This was followed by a series of diplomatic and presidential visits by the presidents of the two countries on their separate visits to South Africa. This was to lay a path and remove obstacles for peace. South Africa assumed its rightful place in the community of nations, asserting its sovereignty in the diplomatic space by leading peaceful efforts in a bid to end the conflict that ravaged the two countries, with debilitating effects on agriculture, gas and trade, imports and exports,” she said.
Bhengu further said the recent interaction between Ramaphosa and Putin and the meeting with the leaders of the European Union, is a quantum leap and a major development since South Africa’s peace efforts and other peace initiatives by other countries. She added that the world had undergone major changes, from protectionism, unilateralism to progressive internationalism, peace and inclusive multinationalism.
“For this conflict to end, the world, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU) should act in the best interests of both Russia and Ukraine above western interests and NATO expansionism. We owe this to the people of Russia and Ukraine who perish every day in a conflict that is not theirs.
“The ANC looks forward with hope to bilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. As a global advocate, champion and mainstay for peace, the ANC notes with appreciation a seed that had germinated into hope, heralding an end to the conflict. We commend the leadership of Ramaphosa and the ANC subcommittee
on International Relations for their role in the peace initiatives,” said Bhengu.
The Guardian 