Johannesburg – South Africa has urged the UN General Assembly to stand together to seek peace and unanimously call for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s “illegal so-called referendum” in regions within Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders and demanded it reverses its annexation declaration.
The matter had been put to a vote and 143 countries voted in favour of the resolution, five abstained – including South Africa and 35 were against the move.
South Africa has since been criticised at home and abroad for not condemning its Brics ally, Russia.
Explaining South Africa’s stance, SA Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mathu Joyini said in a statement late Thursday, “wars have no winners, and the real heroes are those who work for peace”.
The statement added: “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.”
This week Russia responded to Saturday’s bombing of Kerch Strait Bridge, which links the mainland with Crimea, with ferocious missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital, Kiev (Kyiv), and many other urban locations.
Russian began its “special military operation” in Ukraine earlier this year in February ostensibly to protect people who have been facing humiliation and genocide allegedly perpetrated by the Kiev (Kyiv) regime.
At the end of last month, (30 September 2022), Russia declared its annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which make up about 15% (90,000 sq km) of Ukraine’s territory.
However, South Africa has remained steadfast in its refusal to take sides in the conflict.
“South Africa is deeply concerned by the ongoing war in Ukraine, the increased loss of life, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation,” continued the statement.
“The detrimental effects of this war are also being felt all over the world.
“We urge parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Civilians, humanitarian personnel, vulnerable persons, including women and children, must be fully protected.”
The statement added: “We, therefore, expected that any additional resolutions would focus on concrete proposals to end the war which is exacting such a heavy toll on the people of Ukraine”.
South Africa’s ambassador to the UN said the country remains steadfast that dialogue, mediation, and diplomacy were the only path to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
“We reiterate our call for a cessation of hostilities as a matter of urgency.”
The statement said this would create the necessary environment required for a political process leading to sustainable peace, taking into account the concerns of all affected States.
“We were encouraged by the efforts of the Secretary-General to finalise an agreement for the export of grain and fertiliser to countries in need,” said ambassadorJoyini in the lengthy statement.
“We hoped that this important example could be the basis for an agreement leading to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.
“We, therefore, call on the UN Secretary-General to use his Good Offices to mediate in pursuit of finding a sustainable solution and for us as member states to facilitate an enabling environment for dialogue and a negotiated solution to the conflict.”
Ambassador Joyini said South Africa stands ready to work with all member states to contribute to the creation of this conducive environment.
“We urge the UN Security Council to play a constructive role in the resolution of this conflict, in line with its mandate for the maintenance of international peace and security,” Joyini said.
“The Council cannot abandon its responsibility during this time.”
