Ramaphosa urges global solidarity at Vatican

Zuko Komisa

President Ramaphosa urged global leaders to embrace solidarity and multilateralism to solve crises, arguing it’s easier to fund wars than peace.
He positioned South Africa’s G20 Presidency, guided by Ubuntu, as an opportunity to fight inequality and advance the development of the Global South.
Ramaphosa called for consistent action on peace and justice in conflicts like those in Palestine and Ukraine, and for reforms to global financial systems.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a renewed global commitment to solidarity, equality, and shared humanity to address mounting worldwide challenges.

Speaking to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, the President stated that immense global problems, including conflicts like those in Sudan, Ukraine, and Palestine, can only be solved through unity and multilateralism, noting it appears “easier to fund wars than to invest in peace.”

Ramaphosa highlighted that South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency offers an opportunity to advance the common good by tackling inequality and promoting sustainable development.

The G20 Summit’s work will be guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu, and will prioritise the development of Africa and the Global South.

The President emphasised that wealthier nations must assist poorer ones out of a sense of justice, not charity, and stressed the need for global financial system reform, noting that many African nations are crippled by debt.

Commending Pope Leo XIV’s leadership, Ramaphosa called for deeper collaboration between South Africa and the Holy See on humanitarian aid and peacebuilding.

He concluded his address by extending an invitation to the newly appointed Pontiff to visit South Africa.