SA has been asked to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said the request was discussed in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ramaphosa said he told Putin the conflict between the two European countries should be settled through negotiations.
He did not give details about how he planned to work with the two countries, but said SA was approached to mediate due to its historical ties to Russia and as a member of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA).
“President Putin appreciated our balanced approach. We believe this position enables both parties to subject the conflict to mediation and negotiation. Based on our relations with the Russian Federation and as a member of Brics, SA has been approached to play a mediation role,” said Ramaphosa.
This is not the first time SA has been asked to mediate conflicts in other countries.
Here are four times SA has been called on to intervene;
eSwatini
Last year, the Swaziland Solidarity Network appealed to the SA government to intervene amid weeks of rolling mass action calling for an end to the regime under King Mswati III.
The eSwatini government shut down the internet as pro-democracy marchers headed to the capital.
The network said the situation in the landlocked nation had reached boiling point.
“If they allow blood to spill, there may not be any soap to wash the blood. The situation may be so dire that people will flee to SA.
“SA will find itself absorbing half the Swazi population, which will add to the burden already created by Zimbabweans and many other African refugees who are in SA. It’s in the best interest of SA to intervene on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc),” said the network’s spokesperson Lucky Lukhele.
King Mswati III remains in power.