Cape Town – The ANC says its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, met with the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, on Wednesday, following Brigety’s controversial comments about a Russian ship docking in Simon’s Town last year.
The ANC expressed disappointment and surprise over Brigety’s remarks, which claimed that the ship had departed with weapons on board.
The ambassador had also accused the ANC of ignoring his requests for dialogue, which the party denied.
The ANC said Brigety apologised again during the meeting and elaborated on the discussion points raised.
“The ambassador reiterated his apology as conveyed by [minister] Naledi Pandor. While the meeting was cordial, the secretary-general firmly reiterated the centrality of the ANC’s approach to international relations.
“The meeting was cordial, and the secretary-general reiterated the centrality of the ANC’s approach to international relations.
“This is the resolution rooted in the democratic revolution and is dictated by our historical mandate contained in the Freedom Charter that there shall be peace and friendship,” the ANC said.
The party emphasised the importance of the relationship between South Africa and the US and expressed commitment to diplomatic engagements to address shared challenges.
“While there may be points of divergence, we remain committed to diplomatic engagements to resolve challenges on our shared interests. The meeting agreed to a follow-up bilateral meeting with the ANC’s NEC sub-committee on international relations.
“The ANC will continue engaging with members of the diplomatic corps, as we believe that through dialogue, we can bring resolution to our collective challenges,” said the party.
SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AMBASSADOR pic.twitter.com/ORppptIx0O
— African National Congress (@MYANC) May 17, 2023
Mbalula tweeted about his meeting with Brigety, saying that the party firmly believed in resolving conflicts through dialogue.
“The ANC is deeply interested in the kind of global order that will safeguard our common interests and belong to the progressive family of nations and regions that seek to free themselves from neo-colonial capture and imperialist plunder,” said Mbalula.
“We totally reject gun-boat diplomacy. Coming from a continent’s structural transformation is hampered by conflicts sponsored by imperialist interests, we know from experience that war is costly and that without peace, there can be no sustainable development,” Mbalula said.
The ANC is deeply interested in the kind of global order that will safeguard our common interests and belong to the progressive family of nations and regions that seek to free themselves from neo-colonial capture and imperialist plunder.#BuildingABetterWorld https://t.co/MToeUdID6S pic.twitter.com/Re1BsCDrEk
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Cde Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) May 17, 2023
Last week, Brigety was summoned to explain his conduct after the Department of international Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the government had expressed its “utter displeasure” at the ambassador’s statements.
A statement released by Dirco after the démarche indicated that Brigety “admitted that he crossed the line and apologised unreservedly” for his comments”.
The South African government has faced criticism for its non-aligned stance on the war in Ukraine and its reluctance to condemn Russia’s invasion.
President Ramaphosa recently announced that South Africa and other African countries are planning to send their heads of state to Russia and Ukraine in an effort to mediate a peace deal between the two nations.
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Picture: Twitter/@MbalulaFikile
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
