South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky, have agreed to accept a mission led by African leaders aimed at peacefully resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He explained that this task had been under discussion for months. A group of African presidents emphasized its importance for the continent and the broader cause. Ramaphosa noted that he met with leaders from several countries, and the decision was made to initiate the process, a development he shared during a CGTN Europe broadcast.
The mission includes the presidents of Zambia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda, and Egypt, along with South Africa, with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres already briefed on the initiative. Ramaphosa highlighted that Africa is deeply worried about the Ukraine crisis because it directly affects the continent through rising food and fuel prices.
So far, representatives of Russia and Ukraine have not publicly commented on Africa’s initiative. A Kremlin source indicated that Russia is prepared to provide grain and fertilizer to African nations in need, a point Reuters reported as part of recent phone conversations confirming the mission’s launch.
In his prior address to the nation, Ramaphosa stated that Pretoria would maintain a neutral stance in the Ukraine conflict, avoiding involvement in a confrontation between global powers and urging an immediate halt to hostilities. He also pushed back against the idea that South Africa’s non-aligned position damages relations with other states.
How Africa frames the effort
In remarks to foreign affairs circles, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson suggested that discussions with Africa sometimes face pressure from Western capitals. He said that delegations from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union flow into Africa regularly to shape opinions toward Moscow. This perspective was shared in a Russian interview with news agency RIA Novosti.
The spokesperson described African officials and parliaments as being approached frequently by Western representatives, who encourage limited cooperation with Russia. He framed the situation as a constant push from Washington and other allies to steer African policy away from Moscow.
Earlier, Russia’s ambassador to Chad noted that Western engagement with Africa has grown intense, with European diplomats calling the continent a zone of special interest to the European Union and seeking to influence political alignments. The ambassador attributed this to ongoing Western efforts to shape Africa’s stance on issues involving Moscow.
Grain and food aid to Africa
A grain agreement involving Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and United Nations representatives was signed in July 2022. The framework covers exports of grain, food, and fertilizer to needy countries in Africa via the Black Sea route. In the autumn following the signing, Moscow contended that Western nations diverted much of the cargo to their own regions. The agreement is slated to expire on May 18, with UN officials asserting that negotiations to renew the deal would continue ahead of the deadline.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov for the Russian presidency indicated that discussions about the grain deal persist, though several issues regarding the Russian side remain unresolved. He emphasized that dialogue continues with the international partners to ensure that food supplies reach those in need across Africa.
Analysts note that the grain initiative remains a focal point of international talk, with Africa frequently cited as a beneficiary of steady food and fertilizer flows in times of global supply disruptions. The outcome of ongoing negotiations could influence political and economic relationships across the region for months to come.