African leaders could propose a series of “confidence-building measures” during the initial attempts to mediate the dispute between Russia and Ukraine, according to a draft framework document seen by Reuters on Thursday.
Overview
On Thursday, a delegation of African leaders arrived in Warsaw, Poland, to begin an initiative to mediate a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine.
Senegal President Macky Sall and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with leaders from Zambia, Comoros, and Egypt, will lead the delegation to Kyiv and St. Petersburg. The delegation plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
African Leaders Head to Ukraine, Russia on Peace Mission https://t.co/Ib5v66AOR7
— Voice of America (@VOANews) June 15, 2023
The visit comes after Ukraine initiated the main phase of a counteroffensive last week to regain land seized by Russian soldiers in the southern and eastern parts of the country.
According to the framework agreement, which has not been made public, the purpose of the mission is “to promote the importance of peace and to encourage the parties to agree to a diplomacy-led process of negotiations.” The document stated, “the conflict, as well as sanctions placed on Russia by major African trading partners, have had an adverse effect on African economies and livelihoods.”
The document outlines several measures African leaders might suggest during their initial engagement with the warring parties including:
- The Russian army’s withdrawal from Ukraine
- The removal of tactical nuclear weapons from Belarus
- Suspension of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant targeting Putin, and
- Relief from Western Sanctions
“The above-mentioned measures should aim to facilitate the creation of an environment conducive for a ceasefire, and that will allow the parties to build trust and to consider formulating their peace restoration strategies,” the document states.
🇿🇦 Withdrawal of troops and lifting of sanctions: Reuters learned the details of the African peace initiative .
— Feher_Junior (@Feher_Junior) June 15, 2023
African leaders may offer a number of "confidence-building measures" in their initial efforts to mediate the war between Russia and Ukraine.
In particular, African… pic.twitter.com/jQhegBJx0m
It also includes an “unconditional grain and fertiliser deal,” given that African countries have been adversely affected by the suspension of regional shipments of these products. The war has disrupted grain and other food supplies, aggravated food price inflation, and worsened the continent’s existing hunger crisis.
According to the document, a cessation of hostilities agreement might follow and need to be accompanied by discussions between Russia and the West.
Peace Initiatives
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Ramaphosa presented the African initiatives to him. According to a UN spokesperson, they spoke around a month back. “Of course, I always encourage all efforts related to peace. It’s not for me to define what they will achieve,” Guterres told reporters on Thursday. “This is an important initiative based on the goodwill of a number of meaningful countries.”
The African peace initiative is one of many competing initiatives to end the war in Ukraine.
[PHOTOS]: African Heads of State and Government that are participating in the African Leaders Peace Mission holding a consultation while en route to Kiev by train.#AfricanPeaceMission#BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/3LGqPP819t
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 15, 2023
China sent a high-level ambassador to Kyiv, Moscow, and other European capitals in May to establish a “political settlement.” Last month, the Vatican also sketched out a peace mission. Similarly, Indonesia’s defence minister recommended a peace plan last month; however, it was quickly dismissed by Ukraine.
Kyiv demands that its proposal, recommending the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian territory, must serve as the foundation for any resolution to the war started by Russia in February last year, which Moscow defines as a “special military operation” to “denazify” its neighbour.
The Kremlin has downplayed the chances of meaningful peace negotiations with Kyiv, saying it is still ready to listen and open to third-party efforts. However, it maintains that the prerequisites for a peace process are currently inadequate.