African leaders hold talks ahead of visit to Russia, Ukraine on peace mission
President Yoweri Museveni has held talks with fellow African leaders on their peace mission to Moscow and Kyiv and agreed that they were keen to intervene in the conflict.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa who is spearheading the intiative said the virtual meeting held on Monday agreed that foreign ministers from the six African countries must craft a roadmap for the peace plan.
He said they spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Both are willing to meet Ramaphosa and the presidents of Senegal, Egypt, Uganda, Congo-Brazzaville and Zambia.
The Heads of State deliberated on the devastating impact the war has had on the people of Ukraine and Russia as well as the threats this war poses to Europe and the rest of the world if it continues.
The leaders agreed they would engage with both President Putin and President Zelensky on the elements for a ceasefire and lasting peace in the region.
“The foreign ministers of the respective countries were tasked to finalise the elements of a road-map to peace. The presidents confirmed their availability to travel to Ukraine and Russia in mid June,” said the South African Presidency.
There are other countries also willing to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
The BRICS foreign ministers agreed at their meeting in Cape Town last week that they wanted an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
They called for the peace process to ensure this was achieved.
On his part, President Museveni thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for hosting the virtual meeting of the Presidents of the African Peace Initiative, in collaboration with the Brazzaville Foundation, to discuss how Africa can facilitate a peaceful resolution through open dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.
He noted that the war affects all of us, and it can get worse than it is now. It is threatening world peace plus the sanctions that have impacted banking & marine transport among others.
"Since we in Africa have our own perspective, we can share with them how we have solved our problems here," Museveni remarked adding that Africa has good credentials in solving disputes, like that of South Africa (Apartheid), Congo, Somalia, among others.
Museveni pledged support and contribution to the peace process through dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.
Thank you African leaders fir this peace initiative but remember our brothers in DRC are being butchered by Tchisekedi in Masisi ,Rutshuru and Goma in North Kivu, UN troops have been there and they are still there just looking at FDRl
who committed genocide in Rwanda butchering innocent congolese civilians .I think OAU must deploy more soldiers to impose peace in that country that is being lead by a primitive sectarian blood hungry unpatriotic leader.
I am grateful for the initiative our historical leaders like HE YKMuseveni to step in for peace in Ukraine and Russia.
HE Cyrill Ramaphosa and the rest of African leaders can do better in conflict solution than the West.
I salute you .