South Africa has decided to abstain in a United Nations General Assembly vote against the Russian invasion and aggression in Ukraine. The overwhelming majority voted in support of the resolution to stand behind the people of Ukraine.
South Africa is one of 35 countries which decided not to vote in favour of the UN resolution. Out of the five BRICS countries only Brazil voted in support of the resolution. Russia, which is the aggressor, voted against the motion, while South Africa along with India and China decided to abstain from voting against the Russian aggression.
Pretoria has refused to join the call for Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine and stop the senseless violence against innocent civilians. While there is international condemnation and pressure from local civil society to call for an end in the invasion of Ukraine, Pretoria refused to join the call.
The government has explained why it chose not to join the international society and call for an end to the invasion of Ukraine, saying the resolution “does not create an environment conducive for diplomacy, dialogue and mediation.”
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Russia, Syria and Belarus voted against the resolution but were defeated as the majority of the voters supported the motion. Naledi Pandor, The Minister of International Relations and Co-operation called for the Russian troops to withdraw from the Ukraine. President Cyril Ramaphosa retracted that statement as he said he does not want to be seen as taking sides.
Mathu Joyini, South African Ambassador to the UN said, “Our position…is that SA remains deeply concerned by the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and the regional and international socioeconomic implications. We strongly urge all sides to uphold international law, including humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Source: News24, Times Live, Daily Maverick, image from Times Live
