FROM THE UNION BUILDINGS
A message from President Cyril Ramaphosa
Resolution of conflict in Ukraine must be durable and lasting
I
n a world where far
This is a principle on
too many disputes
which we have been
between and within
consistent since the
Ukrainian officials had
their efforts. Calling for peaceful
already started. South Africa expected
negotiation is aligned
countries are settled
advent of our democracy,
that the UN resolution
with values upon which
through the barrel of a
and which remains an
would foremost welcome
the UN was founded.
gun, the view that differ-
important part of our for-
the commencement of
We are particularly
ences are best resolved
eign policy orientation.
dialogue between the
concerned that the UN
through negotiation, dia-
South Africa abstained
parties and seek to cre-
Security Council was
logue and compromise
from voting in the recent
ate the conditions for
unable to discharge its
may seem out of touch,
United Nations (UN)
these talks to succeed.
responsibility to maintain
and even fanciful.
resolution on the esca-
Instead, the call for
peace and security.
lating conflict between
peaceful resolution
that attained democracy
Russia and its neigh-
through political dia-
the long-standing calls
through a negotiated
bour Ukraine because
logue is relegated to a
for the Security Coun-
settlement, we remain
the resolution did not
single sentence close
cil’s reform to meet the
steadfast in our convic-
foreground the call for
to the conclusion of the
challenges of the 21st
tion that achieving world
meaningful engagement.
final text. This does not
century.
And yet, as a country
peace through nego-
Even prior to the
This gives impetus to
provide the encourage-
The UN Charter enjoins
tiation, and not force of
resolution being passed
ment and international
member states to settle
arms, is indeed attain-
at the UN recently, talks
backing that the parties
their disputes by peace-
able.
between Russian and
need to continue with
ful means in the first
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Public Sector Manager • March 2022
