Cape Town – International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has confirmed that the 15th Brics Summit will be held in Johannesburg in August.
This comes after speculations that the summit might be moved to a non-signatory country of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The South African government is currently looking at what the legal options are with respect to this matter, and I have indicated that it’s something the president would be the best person to speak about, once they’ve reached a conclusion,” Pandor said.
DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor maintains that an invitation has been sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the BRICS Summit in SA in August but says the discussions on whether the arrest warrant issued for Putin by the ICC will be carried out are ongoing. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/PNKxCwyJRm
— Bulelani Phillip (@BulelaniPhillip) June 1, 2023
According to SABC, reports had surfaced quoting anonymous government officials saying that options were being looked at for hosting the summit outside of South Africa with some news outlets reporting that China and Mozambique were being mooted as possible options.
China and Mozambique are not parties to the treaty establishing the Hague-based ICC.
The precursor meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Cape Town is being overshadowed by concerns about how Russian President Vladimir Putin will be treated if he attends.
The ICC issued the warrant in March, accusing Putin of forcibly deporting children from Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine, a claim denied by Moscow.
As a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), South Africa would be obligated to arrest Putin if he attends the summit.
Spokesperson in the Presidency Vincent Magwenya also clarified that currently, South Africa remained the Host and Chair of the Summit.
He was clear that no final decision had been taken.
“Asked about a possible venue change for BRICS Summit in Aug, Presidency Spox Vincent Magwenya says because of the ICC warrant (Putin), discussions are still underway with respect to various permutations of SA’s hosting of event. Clarifies that NO final decision taken,” SABC’s Sherwin Bryce-Pease tweeted.
Asked about a possible venue change for BRICS Summit in Aug, Presidency Spox Vincent Magwenya says because of the ICC warrant (Putin), discussions are still underway with respect to various permutations of SA’s hosting of event. Clarifies that NO final decision taken.#sabcnews
— Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) June 1, 2023
South Africa’s vision for BRICS involves advancing in partnership with the African continent and the global south, ensuring no one is left behind.
The meeting will also discuss strengthening global governance systems, collaborating with the G20, de-risking Brics institutions in the current financial landscape, and promoting fairness and development while reducing poverty and inequality.
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SA weighs legal options on Putin visit for Brics
Cape Town – South Africa is considering its legal options if Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is subject to a war crimes arrest warrant, attends the Brics summit in Johannesburg in August, reports said on Thursday.
The ICC issued the warrant in March, accusing Putin of forcibly deporting children from Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine, a claim denied by Moscow.
One option being considered is asking China, the previous chair of Brics, to host the summit instead, Reuters reported.
However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov denied reports that the summit would be relocated.
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has confirmed that all Brics heads of state have been invited to attend the August summit, including Putin.
“The South African government is currently looking at what the legal options are with respect to this matter, and I have indicated that it’s something the president would be the best person to speak about, once they’ve reached a conclusion,” the report quoted Pandor as saying.
WATCH| International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says SA is still looking at the various legal options regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin attendance of the BRICS Summit in Aug. She was speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Minister meeting in Cape Town. pic.twitter.com/dJWRYtGwdK
— Queenin Masuabi (@Queenin_M) June 1, 2023
Former president Thabo Mbeki has previously expressed doubts about the summit taking place in South Africa due to the legal obligations to arrest Putin.
“I think Brics countries must agree either to hold the summit chaired by South Africa in one of the Brics countries outside South Africa or hold it virtually because I’m quite sure we can’t say to President Putin ‘please come to South Africa’ and arrest him. At the same time, we can’t say ‘come to South Africa’ and not arrest him because we are defying our own law. We can’t behave as a lawless government,” Mbeki said during an interview with SABC News.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
