South Africa: South African President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that an independent inquiry has found “no evidence” that his country supplied weapons to Russia.
Mr. Reuben Brigety, the United States ambassador to South Africa, had previously claimed the Russian ship Lady R was loaded with arms at a naval base near Cape Town in December 2022. The South African inquiry found that the Russian cargo ship instead delivered armaments that had been ordered in 2028 for the South African National Defence Force.
Mr. Ramaphosa stressed that there was no evidence that any arms had been exported, based on interviews with 50 people and a review of more than 100 documents.
“When all matters are considered, none of the allegations made about the supply of weapons to Russia have been proven to be true. None of the persons who made these allegations could provide any evidence to support the claims that had been leveled against our country,” the South African President commented. According to Mr. Ramaphosa, the allegation “had a most damaging effect on our currency, our economy, and our standing in the world; in fact, it tarnished our image.”
The South African leader ordered an inquiry led by a retired judge after the US ambassador told a media briefing in May that he was “confident” weapons and ammunition had been loaded onto a vessel bound for Russia. The country’s Foreign Ministry later stated that Mr. Brigety had apologized for his comments, and the US diplomat subsequently wrote on social media that he was grateful for the opportunity to “correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks.”
The ruling African National Congress in South Africa has historical ties to the Soviet Union and has maintained friendly relations with Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leading to criticism from the US and other Western countries. Under Mr. Ramaphosa, the country has hosted drills with the Russian Navy and declined to join Western condemnation of Moscow or sanctions against the Russian economy.
Recently, the country hosted Russia and other major developing economies, including China and India, for the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.
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