Cape Town – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor says the aborted mutiny in Russia led by Yevgeny Prigozhin will not impact African leaders’ efforts to seek an end to the war in Ukraine.
The remarks came after talks between Pandor and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who emphasised that the mutiny showed President Vladimir Putin was destroying his own country, Times Live reported.
Baerbock’s visit to South Africa followed a peace mission by President Cyril Ramaphosa and other African leaders to Russia and Ukraine.
South Africa, despite criticism from Western powers, maintains close ties to Russia and claims to be non-aligned in the war.
Baerbock sought South Africa’s perspective on the recent developments in Russia and explored how the country could leverage its influence as an African opinion leader to help resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Pandor affirmed that the attempted mutiny would not affect South Africa’s engagement with both Russia and Ukraine, as agreed upon during the African peace mission. The peace mission was considered preliminary, and further meetings between the leaders of both countries are scheduled in the coming weeks.
#GermanyInSA🇿🇦🇩🇪 | DIRCO Minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor delivers opening remarks during the 11th Meeting of the South Africa–Germany Bi-National Commission.
Dr. Pandor & Minister Annalena Baerbock are co-chairing the #SAGermany Bi-National Commission, today. 27/06/2023. pic.twitter.com/swoCXCcKGY
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) June 27, 2023
Baerbock viewed the mutiny as evidence that Russia’s illegal war of aggression was not limited to Ukraine, but was also detrimental to Putin’s own country.
Pandor defended South Africa’s decision to abstain from voting on UN resolutions condemning Russia, stating that the country’s position allows it to negotiate with both sides effectively.
Regarding the upcoming Johannesburg summit of the Brics group in August, Pandor mentioned that South Africa has not received a response on whether Putin would attend.
However, as a member of the International Criminal Court, South Africa would be obligated to arrest Putin if he were to attend, as an arrest warrant for suspected war crimes has been issued against him.
Ramaphosa on Sunday said he will provide an update on whether Putin will visit South Africa during the Brics summit.
The president said this while addressing the provincial conference in the Western Cape on Sunday.
Ramaphosa said he was handling the issue of Putin and that the Brics summit will go ahead in August as planned.
He said that he has been addressing the matter and appointed his deputy, Paul Mashile, to lead an inter-ministerial committee on Putin’s visit.
“We will hold the BRICS summit in August. Yes, that Brics summit is going to take place, it is going to go on. We will be outlining precisely how that summit will be held. There is a great deal of impatience. Is so and so coming?. Is so and so not coming? I have often said we will make that announcement. People are very impatient. We will address that question,” IOL quoted him as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
