Cape Town – ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce the government’s decision regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin attending the Brics summit in August “at the right time”.
This comes in the wake of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing a warrant for Putin’s arrest, accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine.
As the host of the summit, South Africa is engaging in discussions to establish a definitive stance regarding Putin’s participation.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been appointed to lead a task team to explore options for South Africa ahead of Putin’s attendance at the Brics summit.
The ICC arrest warrant puts South Africa in a difficult position as it also risks trade ties with the United States, which wants Putin to be arrested upon his arrival.
Mbalula emphasised that Russia is an important partner for South Africa within the Brics group.
“The president and government have been given a mandate by the ANC to deal with this matter.
“It is our turn to host the Brics summit and the president will at the right moment brief the nation and everybody else about what will happen, having exhausted all avenues of ensuring that Brics takes place successfully,” Mbalula said while speaking at the Western Cape provincial elective conference on Saturday.
[WATCH] ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce in due course what will happen to Russian President Vladimir Putin, if he comes to SA, as an ICC arrest warrant hangs over his head.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/R13H6SYwFk
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 24, 2023
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
