In a possible violation of South Africa’s declared neutrality in the conflict in Ukraine, the US ambassador there has accused the nation of providing weapons to Russia.
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Yesterday, Reuben Brigety, the ambassador to South Africa, claimed that the weapons were loaded onto a Russian cargo ship that secretly berthed for three days in December at a naval base close to Cape Town before being transported to Russia.
‘We are confident that weapons were loaded onto that vessel, and I would bet my life on the accuracy on that assertion,’ the ambassador said during a briefing with reporters, according to a video released by Newzroom Afrika.
‘The arming of the Russians is extremely serious, and we do not consider this issue to be resolved, and we would like SA to [begin] practicing its nonalignment policy,’ he said.
The docking of the ship, which is subject to US-imposed sanctions, has raised serious concerns for the United States, according to Vedant Patel, a deputy spokesperson for the State Department. Washington has spoken with several South African officials directly about its concerns regarding the weapons.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, was in Cape Town responding to questions from lawmakers when he was asked to address Brigety’s accusation. ‘The matter is being looked into, and in time we will be able to speak about it,’ the president retorted.
The allegations were deemed ‘disappointing’ by Ramaphosa’s office, which also cautioned that the comments ‘undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership’ between US and South African government representatives who had been discussing the issue.
When the cargo ship arrived at the naval base in Simon’s Town in early December, it raised a lot of questions. Instead of the naval base, cargo ships frequently dock at Cape Town’s commercial harbour.
When the ship was docked at the base, goods had allegedly been offloaded and reloaded overnight, according to opposition parliamentarian Kobus Marais, who demanded answers from the government.
The cargo ship, the Lady R, was added to the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s sanctions list for allegedly transporting weapons last year.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa will appoint a retired judge to lead a probe into the docking that allegedly uploaded weapons and ammunition for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said Brigety’s conduct was against the spirit of cooperation.
‘It is public knowledge that a Russian vessel known as Lady R docked in South Africa. Allegations have since been made about the purpose of the voyage. While no evidence has been provided to date to support these allegations, the government has undertaken to institute an independent inquiry to be led by a retired judge.’
‘In recent engagements between the South African delegation and US officials, the Lady R matter was discussed and there was agreement that an investigation will be allowed to run its course and that the US intelligence services will provide whatever evidence in their possession.’
‘It is therefore disappointing that the US ambassador has adopted a counter-productive public posture that undermines the understanding reached on the matter and the very positive and constructive engagements between the two delegations,’ said Magwenya.
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Picture: Unsplash