Russia-Ukraine dialogue: an African peace initiative

The Brazzaville Foundation is pleased to announce its leadership has been involved in an initiative that has been underway for several months, in collaboration with several African heads of state. The objective of this initiative is to open dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, facilitating a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict affecting millions of lives, both in the warring nations and globally.

The conflict has significantly impeded the flow of essential grain and fertiliser shipments to Africa, causing detrimental effects on the economies of all African nations and impacting the lives of millions on the continent. It was clear in these circumstances that Africa couldn’t remain silent.

With the collective experience of its trustees, advisory board members, and its advisors, the Brazzaville Foundation and its partners and associates have worked relentlessly to assemble a consortium of balanced African leaders. Led by President Macky Sall of Senegal, the immediate past president of the African Union, the group includes President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and the recent inclusion of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, adding the weight of one of Africa's largest economies to the initiative.

Both the Russian and Ukrainian governments have been extensively consulted and have expressed their support for the initiative, engaging actively with the Foundation and the governments of the participating African states. Meetings are being organised in both Kyiv and Moscow to facilitate the process.

High-level consultations have been held with the State Department in Washington and Whitehall in London, and the Republic of China and the EU have been informed.

The initiative has received further endorsement via separate communications between the African leaders and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and President Putin of Russia. The primary goal of this initiative is to establish a platform for dialogue, aiming to secure agreements to release critical grain cargos and fertilisers for shipment to Africa, thereby mitigating the potential risk of famine on the continent.

The Brazzaville Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the governments of Ukraine, Russia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda, Zambia, Egypt, and South Africa for their support and active participation. We thank former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Mr. Amama Mbabazi (both members of the Advisory Board of the Foundation) for their roles. We also acknowledge our partners for their valuable assistance thus far.

We remain optimistic that a positive outcome can be achieved through dialogue, as exemplified by the African experience. While acknowledging the complexities involved, we believe this crucial first step can pave the way towards lasting peace.

Press contact

Mikaël Oliveira
mikael.oliveira@brazzavillefoundation.org
+447943287305

Find out more about the Brazzaville Foundation

Read the article "African heads of state present peace initiative to Russia and Ukraine". published in VOA News

Read the article "War in Ukraine: an African peace mission soon to Kyiv and Moscow" published on 16 May in RFI

Read the article "Behind the African peace mission between Kyiv and Moscow, the Brazzaville Foundation" published on 17 May in RFI