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SA reiterates that dialogue, negotiations can end Russia-Ukraine conflict

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International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says South Africa maintains its stance that genuine dialogue and negotiation is the only path to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, thousands of people have reportedly been killed and millions forced to flee their homes.

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday voted to suspend Russia’s membership in the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

South Africa called the draft resolution premature and abstained from the vote.

Briefing the media in Pretoria, Pandor says despite remaining concerns over the conflict, South Africa will not become embroiled in a confrontational approach.

“Our non-aligned position doesn’t mean that we condone the military intervention of Russia in Ukraine. We believe that this intervention is in violation of international law. We had resisted, in our responses, becoming embroiled in the politics of confrontation and aggression that had been advocated by the powerful countries. We’ve promoted peaceful resolution and we have called for dialogue and negotiation, genuine dialogue and negotiation,” adds Pandor.

Minister Pandor’s full briefing in the video below: 

Russia voted out of Human Rights Council

Member States voted on a resolution introduced by Ukraine that expressed grave concern, particularly at the reports of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by Russia.

The call for Russia’s suspension was initiated by the United States after images of civilian corpses in the town of Bucha drew international condemnation and revulsion.

Introducing the text, Ukraine’s envoy urged the assembly not to repeat the mistakes of indifference that allowed the Rwanda genocide to go unchecked.

Meanwhile, Russia warned the decision would destroy the existing global human rights architecture.

In the video below, UNGA votes to suspend Russia’s membership:

“SA will not take sides” 

Answering questions in the National Assembly last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated that the country will not take sides in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Ramaphosa said taking sides will exclude South Africa from playing the role of peacemaker.

President spoke against the use of force but he also criticised western sanctions against Russia as unhelpful.

The president said the country has been approached by different players to use its experience as a peace negotiator.

-Additional reporting by Sherwin Bryce-Pease 

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