06/03/2022
DA launches petition for SA to take a stance on Russia-Ukraine conflict
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched a petition for the South African government to take a decisive stand on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
It’s been two weeks since Russia launched what it calls a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine. A number of Ukrainians have died, others have deceased and many have fled the country.
DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Darren Bergman said since the invasion, 10 days ago, the ANC government has flip-flopped on its stance multiple times.
“Government didn’t want to take a stand, then the Department for International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) – rightly – condemned the invasion, after which President Cyril Ramaphosa lambasted DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor’s unmeasured stance.
“Mere hours later, three ANC government representatives – Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya, and the Director-General of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans’ special advisor Tsepe Motumi – attended a cocktail party hosted by the Russian ambassador to South Africa, Ilya Rogachev, and the Russian Defence Attaché, Colonel Dmitriy Priimachuck. To add insult to injury, South Africa also abstained from the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s vote to condemn the invasion.
DA Shadow Minister, Darren Bergman
Bergman said in the face of such an overwhelming atrocity, South Africa cannot stand idly by while its comrade ravishes a neighbouring country. Historic loyalty does not trump declarations of war.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation also called on South Africa to take a stance on the ongoing conflict.
In a statement, the Foundation said it has urged the South African government to show leadership at this critical moment and press for a ceasefire so that rigorous negotiations on the future can be mapped out.