October 29, 2024 | Johannesburg
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa will not sign the proposed visa-free agreement between South Africa and Ukraine, which has been under discussion since 2020. This agreement aims to allow Ukrainian diplomats visa-free access to South Africa.
The situation escalated when Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced on social media that he had signed the agreement, generating confusion about its status. In his post, Schreiber stated he would refer the agreement to President Ramaphosa for final approval.
However, Mbalula dismissed Schreiber’s claim, labeling it as misleading. He expressed confidence that the president would not sign the agreement, stating, “Leon Schreiber claims to have signed the Ukraine agreement. He is crazy and overly excited. Comrades are angry, but I’m not bothered because I know the president won’t sign it.”
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola also indicated that the agreement is not yet finalized, suggesting ongoing discussions about its implications.
This disagreement highlights tensions within the ANC regarding foreign policy and relations with Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The party’s stance reflects a commitment to non-alignment in international affairs, as emphasized by other ANC leaders in recent discussions.