African cities: African countries have voiced solidarity with Venezuela following the US' capture of President Nicolas Maduro, reaffirming their commitment to international law.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, US President Donald Trump announced that a military operation against Venezuela resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pledging to assert American control over the country with US troops if necessary. This operation has led African countries to demand the upholding of international law and express solidarity with the South American nation.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly rejected the US action, stating it undermined the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a UN member state. He called for the release of Maduro and his wife and urged the UN Security Council to take decisive action to maintain peace and security.
The issue was brought to the UN Security Council's attention by South Africa, which criticized the unilateral US strikes as a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. The African nation emphasized that military interventions in sovereign states often lead to instability, citing examples from Libya, Iraq, and Africa.
Representing the A3 member countries, the Liberian delegation stressed the importance of a comprehensive response to the situation in Venezuela, advocating for dialogue that respects the aspirations of the Venezuelan people. Eritrea, on behalf of the 16-member Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, condemned the US actions and called for international intervention to uphold Venezuela's sovereignty.
The African Union, along with ECOWAS, expressed concern over the US actions, advocating for Venezuela's territorial integrity. Ghana condemned the invasion and the capture of Maduro, criticizing Trump's statements about controlling Venezuelan resources as reminiscent of colonialism. Namibia also voiced its support for Venezuela, emphasizing a shared history of anti-colonial struggle.
African foreign ministers, in discussions with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, reiterated their support for Venezuela's sovereignty and called for adherence to international law. Ministers from Senegal, Gambia, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Mali, Comoros, Chad, Angola, and Niger voiced their concerns and pledged support for Venezuela at international forums, underscoring the threat posed to the Global South by such operations.