Pieter du Toit | The liberal order is the problem, and that’s why Ramaphosa and the ANC support a dictator – News24

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) greets South African President Jacob Zuma (R) during their bilateral meeting at the BRICS 2015 Summit on July 8, 2015 in Ufa, Russia. (Photo by Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images)

South Africa's Constitution might espouse the very values that the Western-led liberal order now seeks to defend against Russia, but this country's leaders do not believe in it, writes Pieter du Toit.

On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated the ANC government's position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine by emphasising the need for "meaningful engagement" and "negotiation" between the two countries.

He did this amid Russian President Vladimir Putin threatening Ukraine with its very statehood, saying that the country's future as a legal entity is at stake should its government not comply with Putin's demands. And he did it without recognising that it is Russia who is waging this war of aggression and expansion and by pretending that both countries are somehow equal in this conflict. His argument and statement create the impression that it is merely the willingness to engage that is preventing a ceasefire and a negotiating process from commencing.

Subscribe to News24 for just R75 per month to read all our investigative and in-depth journalism.You can cancel any time.

Original post:

Pieter du Toit | The liberal order is the problem, and that's why Ramaphosa and the ANC support a dictator - News24