The US has accused South Africa of supplying arms to Russia in a covert naval operation, escalating a international coverage disaster for President Cyril Ramaphosa over the nation’s ties to the Kremlin and place on the Ukraine warfare.
Reuben Brigety, US ambassador to South Africa, advised native media on Thursday that the US believed weapons and ammunition had been loaded on to the Woman R, a Russian vessel underneath sanctions that docked at Simon’s City naval dockyard close to Cape City in December.
“Among the many issues we famous was the docking of the cargo ship . . . which we’re assured uploaded weapons and ammunition on to that vessel in Simon’s City because it made its manner again to Russia,” he stated, in feedback reported by South Africa’s News24.
Brigety additionally stated that senior US officers had “profound issues” concerning the incident, which “doesn’t recommend to us the actions of a non-aligned nation”. The US embassy didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Ramaphosa’s workplace responded by saying that an unbiased inquiry can be arrange underneath a retired decide to look into the US allegations. It additionally stated there had been talks between South African and US officers over the vessel and an settlement to permit investigations to proceed.
“It’s subsequently disappointing that the US ambassador has adopted a counter-productive public place that undermines the understanding reached on the matter and the very optimistic and constructive engagements between the 2 delegations,” Ramaphosa’s workplace stated in a press release.
US anger over the incident highlights the mounting tensions between the west and international locations which have refused to sentence Russia over the war or be a part of sanctions efforts.
Like South Africa, India has continued to treat Russia as a pleasant nation and western diplomats have struggled to persuade growing nations throughout Africa and Asia to again Ukraine within the warfare. Brigety additionally criticised a decision from the ruling African Nationwide Congress, which stated “the US provoked the warfare with Russia over Ukraine”.
John Steenhuisen, chief of South Africa’s principal opposition Democratic Alliance, referred to as for an pressing parliamentary debate on South Africa’s involvement with Russia, and stated that the US declare “brings into query the transparency” of the ANC.
The rand dropped 2 per cent to R19.20 to the US greenback after Brigerty’s feedback, its weakest stage since April 2020.
South Africa has stated it’s non-aligned within the warfare, however Ramaphosa’s authorities is underneath strain over indicators it’s favouring Russia, for instance by holding joint naval workouts this 12 months.
Ramaphosa has additionally prolonged an invite for Russian president Vladimir Putin to attend a Brics leaders’ summit in Johannesburg in August — a transfer that has backfired on Pretoria after the Worldwide Legal Court docket indicted Putin for warfare crimes. South Africa, a member of the ICC, can be legally obliged to arrest Putin if he travels there.
Sydney Mufamadi, Ramaphosa’s nationwide safety adviser, not too long ago visited the US to elucidate South Africa’s stance and to attempt to protect commerce hyperlinks.
The scandal over the Woman R is prone to overshadow these efforts.
The Woman R, which is owned by Transmorflot, an organization positioned underneath sanctions by the US final 12 months, appeared to modify off its transponder because it made the cease in Cape City after a voyage down the west coast of Africa.
South Africa’s defence minister stated after the ship left port that it had delivered a consignment for the nation’s defence forces, however supplied no particulars on what the vessel might have picked up in Cape City.
The South African authorities in January formally denied that it had authorised any arms gross sales from South Africa to Russia since Moscow started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Extra reporting by Mary McDougall in London
