South Africa has abstained on a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution reaffirming the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders while condemning Russia’s “illegal so-called referenda and attempted annexation of four regions of that country”.
The resolution passed with an overwhelming majority of 143 countries in support with 35 abstentions and just five votes in support of Russia’s position.
Pretoria’s envoy Mathu Joyini explains that they abstained in the belief that the objective of the Assembly must always be to contribute to a constructive outcome conducive to the creation of sustainable peace in Ukraine.
“We abstained on the resolution because we believe that the objective of this Assembly in keeping with its mandate must always be to contribute to a constructive outcome conducive to the creation of sustainable peace in Ukraine. Unfortunately, some elements of the resolution do not address this. In the context of the heightened tensions in recent days, all efforts should be geared towards a ceasefire and a political solution. Mr President, the General Assembly must stand together in seeking peace and unanimously call for an immediate end to the war. That should be our immediate focus.”
