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Seven African leaders who have been on a peace mission to Ukraine and Russia have called on the two countries to swiftly engage in negotiations and put an end to the hostilities, according to President Hakainde Hichilema.
Hichilema who was part of the Seven African leader who travelled to Ukraine and Russia on a peace mission, hoping to work towards ending the war, which has badly affected living standards across the continent, has since returned home.
The delegation from South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda met President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday and President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
Speaking upon arrival in Lusaka on Sunday, Hichilema said the two countries need to engage in negotiations because history had shown that no war should endure indefinitely.
“As we return home from Europe, we extend our sincere gratitude to the Presidents and peoples of Russia and Ukraine for graciously allowing us to gain firsthand insight into the ongoing war between the two nations,” he said.
Hichilema said this historic peace mission marks a significant milestone, as it represents the first time African leaders have ventured to the European Continent with the aim of advocating for a peaceful resolution to a conflict.
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“Our unwavering belief that instability in any part of the world affects stability everywhere reaffirms our urgent call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Russia and Ukraine,” he said.
Hichilema said this war has had detrimental effects on food security in Africa, led to loss of life, destruction of property, and forced displacement of individuals, impacting both nations and our continent as a whole.
“We implored the two countries to swiftly engage in negotiations and put an end to the hostilities, for history has shown that no war should endure indefinitely,” he said.
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