An opportunity to engageThis weekend, seven African presidents, including the chair of the African Union, are heading to Ukraine and Russia in an attempt to create a constructive dialogue between the two countries. Previously, senior figures from Uganda, South Africa, and others dismissed Ukraine as a proxy in a larger conflict between Russia and the West. European governments should issue welcoming words this week, and then prepare to invest more firmly if the African mediation effort takes clearer shape. South Africa is under particular scrutiny, including by the US, over suspected weapons shipments and its continued military cooperation with Russia. From the perspective of President Cyril Ramaphosa at least, expediting the peace initiative may be part of addressing these broader perceptions.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 15, 2023 08:05 UTC