Russia launched attacks to Ukraine on 24th February 2022. As of today, the crisis has escalated and took many people’s lives. Among others, the attack has left people displaced and infrastructures destroyed.

UN fundamental principles incorporate clauses of peaceful coexistence among countries irrespective of individual security interests.

During the UN General Assembly’s emergency session on Ukraine crisis held on 2nd March 2022, Rwanda disclosed its stand on the situation by voting in favour of the resolution in support of, and with respect for, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of any country.

Rwanda has called for action to cease military operations in Ukraine immediately noting that the Russian Federation and Ukraine have the key to resolving the conflict and external intervention ‘will only exacerbate the situation’.

“We fully support international efforts to de-escalate the war, including UNSG efforts in seeking a solution to the crisis. We urge all concerned parties to demonstrate calm and seek a solution to the conflict through dialogue to ensure that civilians do not continue to pay the heaviest price of military escalation,” Rwanda’s representative said.

Rwanda revealed that a lasting solution will only be achieved through dialogue by parties, taking into account the concerns of both sides highlighting that the current war does not guarantee that it will bring peace but rather ‘it is likely to generate subsequent crises and human suffering’.

Rwanda also expressed serious concern with the extent of humanitarian devastation and peace and security challenges caused by this war including reports that Africans are being racially segregated and denied safe exit and admission to neighboring countries.

“We call upon all those involved to allow unhindered evacuation without looking at their color or origin.”

Rwanda said that diplomatic options present better solutions to sustainable peace and called for open dialogue and negotiations in good faith.

“Rwanda calls for a sincere commitment to the United Nations Charter and international order. The ongoing crisis poses a severe threat to international peace and security. We encourage concerned parties to give a chance to peace. We wish to underline that a long-lasting solution to the current crisis is primarily in the hands of Russia and Ukraine. Dialogue is their best option to resolve this crisis,” Rwanda’s representative added.

The resolution was voted by 141 of the 193 UN member states. Other African countries that voted in favour of the resolution include Kenya, Ghana, Gabon, Djibouti, Congo, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among others, 35 countries including 17 from the African continent countries abstained from the vote.

The African countries include Burundi, Senegal, South Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, Mali and Mozambique.

Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Russian Federation, and Syria form the group of countries that voted against the resolution.

The General Assembly has only held 10 emergency sessions since 1950, in line with the adoption of resolution 377A(V),widely known as ‘Uniting for Peace’.

The resolution gives the Assembly power to take up matters of international peace and security when the Security Council is unable to act due to unanimity among its five permanent members – China, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia – who have the power of veto.

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