By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says African countries should, as sovereign States, be able to pursue their own independent foreign policy approaches that are not beholden to any of the major global powers or blocs.
Ramaphosa was speaking during a plenary session at the second Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg in the Russian Federation. The two-day summit kicked off on 27 July.
He said Africa must also not be beholden to other countries when it comes to policy matters.
This second Russia-Africa Summit is an opportunity to further enhance and strengthen international cooperation and partnership for Africa’s development,” Ramaphosa said.
The Russia-Africa summit comes after Russia pulled out of a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, raising concern among African nations.
He welcomed cooperation between Russia and Africa to promote investment, facilitate the development of value chains, and boost capacity to produce and export manufactured products.
“The proposed Russia-Africa Action Plan for the coming years should align with the second 10-Year Implementation Plan of the AU’s Agenda 2063. This will ensure better coherence and more action-orientated interventions,” he said.
Ramaphosa’s visit to Russia comes a month after the peace mission by heads of state from Comoros, Senegal, Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Egypt and Uganda.
“As South Africa, we remember with deep gratitude how the support of the people and the government of the then-Soviet Union sustained our struggle for liberation. Today our bilateral relationship remains strong,” he said.
“We continue to collaborate in the political, economic, social, defence and security spheres. We work closely across multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, G20 and as members of BRICS.
“As South Africa, our participation in forums such as this one is guided by our quest to realise the African Union’s vision of economic integration and inclusive socio-economic development.”
He added that geopolitical tensions were negatively affecting countries across Africa.
Ramaphosa emphasised that in the interlinked global community, the repercussions of conflict and instability in other parts of the world have far reaching consequences and affect everyone.
He told the session that all nations have a responsibility to work for peace, support peacebuilding, and lend every effort to bring an end to conflict and war.
“As South Africa, we are steadfast in our position that negotiation, dialogue and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter are necessary for the peaceful and just resolution of conflict.
“It is our hope that constructive engagement and negotiation can bring about an end to the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. As South Africa, our own history has taught us that this is indeed possible,” he said.
Ramaphosa concluded that he looks forward to the second Russia-Africa Summit playing a key role in supporting objectives of African integration, economic growth, peace and common prosperity.
In response to Ramaphosa’s remarks, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia shares the same views when it comes to the prospects of development of Russia-Africa relations.
“We are constantly keeping in touch and we will continue to do so, as I have already mentioned, today. We will focus on the situation related to Ukraine,” Putin said.
On the BRICS summit scheduled to take place in August in South Africa, Putin wished the summit every success, saying he is confident that the meeting will be held at the highest level.
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