Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
DPRK strongly condemnded the US strikes on Iran
Iran: Fars News Agency: A woman and her 6-year-old son were killed in an Israeli drone attack on Kermanshah Province
Iran: IRNA: Attack Wave 21 was not carried out, and the operation carried out minutes ago was from Yemen against targets in the occupied territories
Sirens are sounding in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas
Israeli military command: We identified missiles launched from Iran
Tunis: The legitimacy created by World War II is crumbling and the future belongs to free peoples of the world
Tunis: We emphasize that the aggression against Iran should not obscure other ongoing crimes, the first of which is the war of extermination against the Palestinian people
Tunis: International legitimacy does not permit or justify aggression against Iran under any cover or title
Tunisia: Foreign Ministry: We call for an end to the aggression against our sister country, Iran, and we do not limit ourselves to condemning the Zionist and American attacks
Iran: Nur News: An Israeli aerial assault is targeting the region of Parchin, east Tehran

Ramaphosa, Biden talk after S. Africa abstained from UN Russia vote

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Apr 2022 08:55
2 Min Read

The US President and his South African counterpart have held a phone call after the latter described the UN Security Council as "outdated" and in dire need of an overhaul.

  • x
  • South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held Friday telephone talks with US President Joe Biden, a day after the African country abstained from voting on a resolution suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council over the war in Ukraine.

Ramaphosa, whose government has been criticized for refusing to condemn Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, had a day earlier described the UN Security Council as "outdated" and in dire need of an overhaul.

Hours later, South Africa was among the 58 countries that abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council.

It was the third time South Africa abstained from voting on resolutions adopted over the war in Ukraine.

On Twitter, Ramaphosa said he had "a productive" telephone call with Biden. 

"We shared views on the conflict in Ukraine and agreed on the need for a ceasefire and dialogue between Ukraine and Russia," the South African President wrote.

Related News

Trump pushes Iran regime change rhetoric, administration contradicts

Russia, China, and Pakistan call for ceasefire amid US attacks on Iran

I had a productive call with US President @JoeBiden earlier this evening. As part of deepening relations, we agreed to set up a team to strengthen trade, increase investment in infrastructure and work to tackle climate change. pic.twitter.com/NTris3xHfr

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 8, 2022

Local media suggest Biden initiated the call

The White House pointed out in a readout of the call that Biden "emphasized the strength of the bilateral partnership, as well as global challenges brought on by Russia's further invasion of Ukraine."

The US President stressed "the need for a clear, unified international response" to Russian aggression in Ukraine," the statement said.

Local media suggested it was Biden who initiated the call to Ramaphosa.

Second ever suspension from UNHRC

Russia's suspension from the UN Human Rights Council marked only the second ever suspension of a country from the human rights body, as Libya's suspension was the first in 2011.

On Thursday, Ramaphosa sharply criticized the UN Security Council for enabling powerful nations to use their influence to make decisions that were at times catastrophic.

"The current formation of the UN Security Council is outdated and unrepresentative," he considered, adding that "it disadvantages countries with developing economies."

  • United States
  • Russia
  • Africa
  • South Africa
  • United Nations
  • US
  • UN Security Council
  • Ukraine
  • Cyril Ramaphosa
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, speaks with then-Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 (AP)
Politics

Iran holds the initiative after nuclear strikes, Shamkhani says

Blood stains a religious painting inside Mar Elias Church, where a suicide bomber detonated himself in al-Dwela, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after returning from a massive strike on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday (AP)
Politics

Israeli media: US-Israeli strike on Iran failed to end war

China UN Ambassador Fu Cong addresses the United Nations Security Council, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Politics

China slam US strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS