African delegates have expressed support for a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine.
This was during the Africa-European Union Parliamentary Assembly discussions on the exchange of views on the critical minerals partnership at the Ezulwini Palazzo yesterday.
The lawmakers called for a resolution rooted in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, including the peaceful settlement of disputes and solidarity with victims of war.
Delegates emphasised that any resolution to the conflict should prioritise humanitarian concerns, international legal frameworks and protection of civilians affected by the war.
The African position highlighted concern for those most impacted by the ongoing conflict, with a focus on peacebuilding rather than political escalation.
Although the discussions also touched on broader Africa-EU cooperation, the Ukraine conflict emerged as a key point of reflection for delegates seeking to balance diplomatic neutrality with global humanitarian responsibility.
Cameroon’s delegate Yaya Dounisa presented the African position, emphasising that the draft reflected African proposals.
“The text is proposed by the Africans. It expresses support for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, including the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes.
“It expresses solidarity with the victims of war, the internally displaced and refugees, notes with concern reports of African nationals being recruited under misleading or false pretences to participate in the war and expresses solidarity with the African countries affected. It calls for those affected to receive appropriate protection,” Dounisa said.
Tensions emerged as Europeans condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
European Parliament Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly Chairperson Hilde Vautmans insisted the European Parliament could not compromise its official position.
“The European Parliament reaffirms its position of condemning Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
“We have voted in Parliament. We cannot go home without that. But we do not ask you to do the same.
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“So please accept this and we have a very strong partnership for the future. Can I have acclamation on this? Come on, let’s do this,” Vautmans said.
The remaining disagreements centred on two politically sensitive issues: the interpretation of the Samoa Agreement and language relating to the war in Ukraine.
On the Samoa Agreement, African delegates pushed for recognition of reservations made by some members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) during signing and ratification, particularly on anti-discrimination provisions.
Speaking during the session, Member of the European Parliament Ingabore Tak stressed that differing interpretations were part of international cooperation.
“There is no perfect agreement. Even when we were signing the Samoa Agreement with our leaders, we had our reservations.
“But we continue to partner,” she said.
African delegates proposed an addendum stating that anti-discrimination provisions should take into account those reservations. European lawmakers later accepted the wording, resolving that part of the dispute.
Negotiators eventually reached a compromise on Ukraine, revising paragraph seven to reflect African-led language supporting peace rather than direct political alignment.
