By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) released a statement on the 10th of September, condemning the Russian attack on innocent civilians.
In the statement DIRCO expressed its concern over the indiscriminate attacks from Russia which cost the lives of pensioners residing in the village of Yarova in Eastern Ukraine.
With the ever growing rise in global conflict South Africa is pleading with Russia who are also part of international bloc “Brics”, South Africa feels that it is imperative that they call for de-escalation of these attacks and approach the matter diplomatically.
“At a time when armed conflicts are increasing and escalating, South Africa not only calls for a de-escalation and ceasefire, but also implores all parties to the conflict to abide by International Law, including International Humanitarian law obligations,” via the statement issued by DIRCO.
Ukraine local officials have reported that 24 people were murdered with 19 injured due to Russian airstrike.
A further 23 people were killed overnight due to an airstrike in the Ukrainian capital city, Kyiv at the end of August.
DIRCO has expressed that South Africa supports the efforts of the United Nations (UN) and other international humanitarian platforms that are working towards ending the conflict between the two nations.
DIRCO also implored that these nations must distinguish between military forces and innocent civilians before engaging in attacking a particular area.
“We continue to see attacks against civilians and civilian installations in breach of the principle of distinction. International humanitarian law requires parties to armed conflict to always distinguish between combatants and civilians as well as between military and civilian targets,” said DIRCO in their statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for countries to not remain silent regarding these attacks and have asked their allies in Europe as well as the United States to aid in repelling the Russian forces from further attacking innocent civilians