South Africa has joined the rest of the world in condemning Russia’s actions and called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, saying the dispute should be resolved peacefully.

In a statement South African government said, armed conflict will no doubt result in human suffering and destruction, the effects of which will not only affect Ukraine but also reverberate across the world.

South Africa and Russia have strong economic ties with both being members of Brics – a grouping made up of the world’s emerging economies.

The war in Ukraine could have a devastating effect on some African states, threatening their economies and seeing governments come under diplomatic pressure to take sides in the escalating feud between Russia and Western powers.