SA abstains from another key UN vote on Russia
South Africa's representative to the United Nations says while our country is deeply concerned about the loss of lives due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine - dialogue, mediation and diplomacy are the only ways to end it.
South Africa abstained on Thursday night from a UN General Assembly vote to suspend Russia from the global body's Human Rights Council - as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation's said in a statement that it believes the resolution was premature.
Dirco wants the UN's Commission of Inquiry to first conclude its work into possible violations and human rights abuses - before other decisions are taken.
South Africa's deputy ambassador to the UN, Xolisa Mabhongo says they welcome efforts by Ukraine and Russia to hold talks without preconditions.
He says the UN General Assembly should be encouraging this mediation.
Mabhongo highlights that reports on civilian casualties are deeply concerning and that humanitarian corridors need to be opened urgently, to allow aid through.
READ: SA will continue efforts to advance peace - Ramaphosa
Russia's rejected the suspension, with its foreign ministry blasting the move as "illegal and politically motivated."
But the high-profile rebuke of Moscow last night earned praise from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and America's Joe Biden - who said the expulsion confirmed Moscow as an "international pariah".
