By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit of the Brics group of nations in South Africa in August,”by mutual agreement”, presidency said on Wednesday.
Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov instead, read the statement.
South Africa faced a dilemma in hosting the summit because, as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), it would theoretically be required to arrest Putin for alleged war crimes if he were to attend.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin.
The leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa will attend the summit, the presidency said.
This will be the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions.
“Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe,” the Presidency said.
South Africa has recently seen its ties with the West come under severe strain, with it believed that South Africa’s government, particularly the African National Congress (ANC), is favouring Russia, despite the country’s stated “non-aligned” stance.
These tensions came to a head when the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Briggerty, accused South Africa of supplying arms to Russia in an explosive statement earlier this year.
Despite tensions easing somewhat since then, there are still growing concerns that South Africa could now be kicked out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which brings in billions to both the automotive and agricultural sectors.
The government has been headstrong that it will not pick a side and remain non-aligned, despite the growing threat of Western retaliation.
The Presidency added that a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued in due course.
REACTIONS
The African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed Putin’s decision not to attend the Brics summit in Johannesburg, saying his presence would have complicated matters.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said while Putin was welcome to attend the summit, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant for his arrest complicated matters.
“There are many who wished President Putin to be here physically but I think wisdom may have prevailed.”
Bhengu-Motsiri said it was time to focus on pressing issues in the geopolitical sphere.
“We welcome it in finally laying the matter to rest, in order for us and developing countries to deal with issues of the day: dealing with poverty, unemployment, and fighting for a just and humane society.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) said it is going ahead with its court action on Friday to compel the government to execute an arrest warrant for Putin, despite the Russian president not arriving in South Africa.
DA leader John Steenhuisen also welcomed Putin’s decision not to set foot in SA.
“South Africa’s reputation on the international stage, and its commitment to upholding the rule of law were at stake in this matter. By standing firm on the need to adhere to our obligations under the Rome Statute and other international conventions, we have demonstrated our unwavering dedication to justice and human rights,” Steenhuisen said.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said Putin’s withdrawal is a “consequence of the South African state’s reluctance to be firm on international affairs and their inability to resist pressure from Nato.”
“Further hypocrisy lies in the fact the ICC has not prosecuted individuals like George Bush and Tony Blair for war crimes, raising questions about its impartiality, yet our government bows to its threats.
“The EFF cautions all member states of Brics that South Africa is currently led by a spineless government that will never meaningfully take forward efforts to grow the strength of the Global South and its allies, “the EFF said.