During a meeting in Brasília on Monday, Cyril Ramaphosa and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged an end to the ongoing violence in the Middle East, where the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to claim thousands of lives.
Speaking after their talks in Brasília, President Lula emphasized that technology such as drones should be used for peaceful development rather than warfare. He noted that South America considers itself a zone of peace, stressing that countries in the region do not possess nuclear or atomic weapons. According to him, drones there serve purposes like agriculture, scientific research, and technological advancement instead of military operations.
President Ramaphosa echoed the concern, expressing regret over the heavy casualties resulting from the conflict. The Cyril Ramaphosa said their visit occurred at a time when tensions were intensifying in the region and reaffirmed the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue in line with the United Nations Charter. He particularly condemned the growing number of civilian deaths.
However, Lula also suggested that both Brazil and South Africa should strengthen cooperation in defense, arguing that nations must remain capable of protecting themselves if necessary.
The latest tensions began after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Since then, the violence has expanded across the region, affecting countries such as Lebanon, Qatar, and Kuwait, raising international concerns about a wider regional crisis.
