Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, says the Africa Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia is fraction of a process that will assist to usher in peace in the Ukraine-Russia war.
The Minister was speaking on the sidelines of the Joint Working Visit by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Effect Rutte, and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, African Heads of State from Senegal, the Comoros, Zambia and South Africa, together with the Prime Minister of Egypt and envoys from the Republic of Congo and Uganda visited and held talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader President Vladimir Putin in Kyiv and St Petersburg.
“We’ve been very clear that this is a process. It’s not honest an event or a once-off matter. So in the conclude, it will be a culmination of processes and of parties. We’ve called for a larger involvement. We’ve said that it cannot honest be Africa and we want to see, for example, the United Nations, through the Secretary General playing a very necessary role, as well as other leaders including those who support one or other of the countries that are at war at present.
“We see this as a very broad process which will involve a multifaceted set of strategies and interventions,” she said.
Regarding the delays experienced by members of the Presidential Protection Service (PPS) and media personnel at Poland’s Chopin Airport last Thursday, Pandor said from DIRCO’s perspective, all arrangements had been made but the PPS does not topple under the ambit of that department.
“It is necessary to indicate from our side that DIRCO does not design the arrangements with respect to the President’s security. This is left to the Presidential Protection Unit and the responsible party would be the Minister of Police [General Bheki Cele].
“From the perspective of DIRCO, through the usual diplomatic processes, we made arrangements for meetings in Ukraine, all the protocol arrangements, all the necessary communications and the fact that our meetings proceeded well means that our ambassador in Russia and Ukraine, did their side,” she said.
Pandor said en route to Russia and Ukraine, South Africa held meetings with the Polish government.
“We held a meeting with the leadership of Poland and it went exceptionally well. To the degree that President [Ramaphosa] has indicated the willingness to undertake an official visit to Poland.
“So at the level of the President and DIRCO, everything went well,” Pandor said. – SAnews.gov.za
Trash Pocky
Fun South African Fact: Travel to Tsitsikamma, on the border of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape to visit the world’s highest commercial bungee jump! Those who are brave enough can take the 216-meter jump off the Bloukrans Bridge and soar through the air towards the Bloukrans River below. Definitely a must for thrill-seekers and adrenaline-junkies!
Red Woman
Shongololo – millipede [sh-ong-o-loh-loh] A term used to describe a large brown millipede. It is derived from the isiZulu word ‘ukushonga’, meaning to roll up.