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Protest against Ukraine-Russia conflict to be held in Cape Town

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A silent protest against the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine will be held at the St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon.

The Dean of the Cathedral, Reverend Michael Weeder, will host the hour-long protest.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba will be in attendance. The protest will be preceded by a church service led by the Archbishop.

DA calls on Ramaphosa to impose sanctions on Russia

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take a firm stance against Russia and impose sanctions.

Last week Russia invaded Ukraine. In a show of support, the Provincial Parliament building in Cape Town was lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow, in support of the country and its citizens.

The DA has joined the worldwide condemnation of Russia’s actions. Steenhuisen says the colours of the flag will remain on the building until the conflict ends.

“Mediation is important, but mediation has failed which is why the tanks have rolled over and are why civilians are being shelled and why residential buildings are being bombed. And why civilians are being displaced in large numbers into the surrounding countries. What we need to do is ensure that that is stopped. Mediation hasn’t worked. We need to now adopt a stronger line, this behavior is not going to be tolerated.”

President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s stance on the invasion of Ukraine by Russian soldiers that the conflict could be resolved through mediation.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a two-day PEC meeting of the ANC in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape last week, Ramaphosa said that war was devastating.

“War in our view is devastating to everyone, to ordinary people, to the country where war is raging, and we have called for mediation. There needs to be proper and positive engagement in this conflict. Mediation in our view is the best way, we were able to engage with our enemies, and we found a solution to what was considered an intractable problem in the world, bringing apartheid to an end.”

 

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