South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, from Cape Town, called for an immediate halt to escalating armed conflicts, describing the ongoing war as 'madness' that is costing innocent lives unnecessarily.

Ramaphosa told journalists on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Indaba. 

"We have issued a clear statement that we want a ceasefire. We want this madness to come to an end. Donald Trump is very busy right now. He's got a war on his hands. And obviously, if the opportunity were to open, we would talk and say there must be a ceasefire. South Africa is always ready to play a contributing role, either in mediation or whatever. And if a gap opens or if we are asked, we always live up to our obligations."