Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin A and Ryan Marcus
South Africa: President Ramaphosa hails Russian-Ukraine peace mission
On 19 June, Al Jazeera reported that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on his return remarked that the historic peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia did not yield immediate results. President Ramaphosa stated: “This initiative has been historic in that it is the first time African leaders have embarked on a peace mission beyond the shores of the continent”. Additionally, Ramaphosa stated that there was positive reception from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin and both have agreed to participate in further engagements. Further, South Africa has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. ("South Africa leader hails 'historic' Ukraine peace mission," Al Jazeera, 19 June 2023)
Kenya: President Ruto signs EU trade deal
On 19 June, Al Jazeera reported that Kenyan President William Ruto signed a trade deal with the European Union to receive duty-free and quota-free access to the EU. President Ruto stated that the EU was the most important development partner following the World Bank. This is the first broad deal between the EU and an African nation since 2016. EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovkis stated that the agreement is open for the other members of the East Africa Community (EAC)- which includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. ("Kenya signs EU trade deal in boost to Brussels' Africa ties," Al Jazeera, 19 June 2023)