Global Courant 2023-05-12 01:30:37
The US ambassador to Pretoria accuses the country of supplying arms to Russia despite its declared neutrality in the war in Ukraine.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said an investigation is underway after the US ambassador to Pretoria accused the country of supplying arms to Russia despite its declared neutrality in the war in Ukraine.
The government is opening an independent inquiry led by a retired judge into the allegation, Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement Thursday.
Earlier, US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety told local journalists in a briefing that Washington was convinced a Russian ship had uploaded weapons and ammunition from South Africa in December.
“Among the things we noticed was the docking of the Russian freighter Lady R in Simon’s Town between December 6 and December 8, 2022, which we are certain uploaded weapons and ammunition … while making its way back to Russia found,” Brigety said in a briefing to local journalists, as quoted by Reuters news agency.
“South Africa’s arming of Russia with the ship … is fundamentally unacceptable,” Brigety said, adding that senior US officials had “deep concerns” about South Africa’s avowed policy of non-alignment and neutrality with regard to until the war in Russia disrespected.
This “does not suggest to us the actions of a non-aligned country,” he said.
Washington has repeatedly warned countries against providing material support to Russia, warning that those who do could be barred from accessing the world’s most important markets.
Brigety made the remarks to journalists after returning to Pretoria after accompanying a high-level South African delegation to the United States to raise concerns about South Africa’s relationship with Russia.
South Africa conducted joint naval exercises with Russia and China in February – calling it routine – about which the US and other Western powers expressed concern at the time.
Brigety said on Thursday that naval exercises and other issues, in addition to arms shipments, have contributed to concerns about South Africa’s loyalty.
South Africa is one of Russia’s main allies on a continent divided over its invasion of Ukraine, but it has maintained impartiality in the conflict and abstained from voting on UN resolutions on the war.
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