CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA FEBRUARY 15: Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip; John Steenhuisen speaks during the second day of the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 15, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zumas SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Lulama Zenzile)
National Assembly debates Russian invasion of Ukraine
Leader of the opposition John Steenhuisen will lead the urgent debate he called for on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine will impact SA.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA FEBRUARY 15: Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip; John Steenhuisen speaks during the second day of the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 15, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zumas SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Lulama Zenzile)
John Steenhuisen, the leader of the opposition, heads the National Assembly debate on the economic impact of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine on South Africa on Tuesday afternoon, 15 March.
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READ:
- LIVE UPDATES: Russia’s war in Ukraine: Latest developments
- Parliament approves urgent debate on Russian invasion after DA request
- Ramaphosa chats to Putin about his reasons for the Ukraine invasion
- Ramaphosa says SA ‘approached to play a mediation role’ in Russia-Ukraine conflict
- DA-led W Cape govt is firmly in Ukraine’s corner as Pretoria takes ‘balanced’ approach
PARLIAMENT DEBATES RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE
The Speaker of the National Assembly accepted Steenhuisen’s request for an urgent debate nearly a week ago on Wednesday, 9 March.
The opposition party has placed itself firmly in Ukraine’s corner and this has been seen in the areas of South Africa where it governs.
Recently, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and “the ambiguous position” taken by the national government.
The provincial government banned Russian in the country from provincial events and vowed that Western Cape officials would turn down any invitations received.
Winde met with Ukraine’s ambassador on 9 March – the same day Steenhuisen did – and urged Ramaphosa to do the same.
Steenhuisen previously said he was proud that DA-led governments have chosen to be on the “right side of history.”
South Africa was one of 17 African nations to abstain in the UN General Assembly vote that called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
On Thursday, 10 March, President Cyril Ramaphosa requested a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Ramaphosa said the purpose of the call was to gain an understanding of the situation. He also outline South Africa’s official position and said Putin appreciated the “balanced approach.”
“I outlined our position on the conflict that has unfolded as well as our belief that the conflict should be resolved through mediation and negotiation between the parties and – if need be – with the help of agencies that can help bring a solution to the conflict,” said Ramaphosa.
