African leaders have announced a “peace mission” to Russia and Ukraine in an attempt to end the war in the region. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, as well as leaders from Egypt, Zambia, Senegal, Uganda and the Republic of Congo, will visit Moscow and Kyiv in an effort to broker a peace deal. The initiative has been welcomed by both President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on Africa, leading to food insecurity and rising prices of fertilizers and fuel. South Africa has been under increasing pressure to take sides in the conflict, but has maintained its non-aligned position. The country has also faced questions over whether it will honor an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court to apprehend Mr. Putin if he attends a meeting of BRICS nations in South Africa in August.
The African leaders’ mission is a positive step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. It remains to be seen whether the initiative will be successful in bringing an end to the war.