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| Egyptian President Al Sisi (left) and Senegal’s Macky Sall have spoken to Putin separately |
PRETORIA, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three African presidents have spoken with their Russian counterpart since the Ukrainian invasion by Russia started on Feb 24.
The latest is South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, who posted details of his telephone call with Putin on his Twitter handle on Thursday.
“Thanking His Excellency President Vladimir Putin for taking my call today, so I could gain an understanding of the situation that was unfolding between Russia and Ukraine.
“I outlined our position on the conflict that has unfolded as well as our belief that the conflict should be resolved through mediation and negotiation between the parties and – if need be – with the help of agencies that can help bring a solution to the conflict.
“President Putin appreciated our balanced approach. We believe this position enables both parties to subject the conflict to mediation & negotiation. Based on our relations with the Russian Federation & as member of BRICS, South Africa has been approached to play a mediation role,” his series of tweets read.
Before Ramaphosa, Egypt’s Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi spoke with Putin on bilateral issues and on developments in Ukraine.
The third African leader to have spoken to Putin is Senegal’s Macky Sall, who is also current Chairperson of the African Union, AU.
“I welcome my meeting this morning with President Putin in my capacity as Chairman of the African Union to seek a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine.
“I salute his attentiveness and his willingness to maintain dialogue for a negotiated outcome to the conflict,” Macky Sall tweeted on March 9. — NNN-AGENCIES
