According to the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), Army Chief Lawrence Mbatha is currently in Moscow for a bilateral meeting, where he will visit Russian military academies and meet with officials.
According to a SANDF statement, “it must be noted that South Africa has military-to-military bilateral relations with various countries on the continent and beyond,” and the meeting in Russia was planned in advance.
While urging a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian conflict, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated earlier on Monday that his country’s non-aligned stance did not favor Russia over other states.
Ramaphosa’s remarks were published in his weekly newsletter as president. The US accused the Russian ship Lady R last week of loading weapons from a naval base in Cape Town at the end of last year, escalating diplomatic tensions.
U.S. Ambassador Reuben Brigety expressed “profound concerns” about South Africa’s policy of non-alignment and neutrality in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, but South African officials quickly shot him down.
We reject the idea that our non-alignment policy gives Russia an advantage over others. We also refuse, as Ramaphosa stated, to let it jeopardize our international standing.
He also stated that, despite allegations of US arms shipments, South Africa would remain committed to the international agreements and treaties to which it is a signatory.
According to Ramaphosa’s office, the ambassador’s claims have not been substantiated, but an investigation led by a retired judge will look into them.
According to multiple ministers, including the minister in charge of arms control, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, and the minister of communications, South Africa did not approve any arms shipment to Russia in December.
Brigety apologized “unreservedly” to the South African government and people after being summoned to meet with Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on Friday, according to a statement from the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Brigety tweeted, “I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Pandor… and correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks,” though it was unclear whether he had apologized based on the context of the tweet.
Despite voting against United Nations resolutions condemning Russia’s involvement in Ukraine’s conflict, South Africa maintains its neutrality. Western nations, on the other hand, regard it as one of Moscow’s most dependable allies on the continent.
