JOHANNESBURG, May 12 (Reuters) – South African officers on Friday hit again at U.S. accusations {that a} Russian ship had collected weapons from a naval base close to Cape Town late final yr, a transfer traders concern could lead on Washington to impose sanctions.
The U.S. ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety stated on Thursday he was assured {that a} Russian ship below U.S. sanctions took aboard weapons from the Simon’s Town base in December, suggesting the switch was not in keeping with Pretoria’s stance of neutrality in Russia’s struggle in opposition to Ukraine.
Western diplomats had been alarmed at South Africa finishing up naval exercises with Russia and China this yr, and on the timing of a go to by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
South Africa is one of Russia’s most vital allies on a continent divided over its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, however says it’s neutral and has abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions on the struggle.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday had mentioned the battle in Ukraine in a cellphone name with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Kremlin stated.
Ramaphosa’s workplace stated on Thursday that an inquiry led by a retired choose would look into the U.S. allegation. On Friday, a minister accountable for arms management and a international ministry spokesman stated South Africa had not authorised any arms shipment to Russia in December.
“We didn’t approve any arms to Russia … it wasn’t sanctioned or approved by us,” Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele, who chaired the National Conventional Arms Control Committee when the purported shipment happened, instructed 702 radio.
He didn’t say whether or not or not an unapproved shipment had left South Africa.
South Africa’s defence division stated on Friday it will give its aspect of the story to the federal government’s inquiry.
AMBASSADOR SUMMONED
Brigety was summoned on Friday to meet South African international minister Naledi Pandor. The ministry “expressed the government’s utter displeasure with his conduct and statements made yesterday,” a press release stated.
[1/3] Russian flagged Ro Ro ship Lady R transits Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik
It stated Brigety “admitted that he crossed the line and apologised unreservedly to the government and the people of South Africa.”
Brigety stated on Twitter: “I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Pandor this evening and correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks.”
The U.S. State Department stated Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a cellphone name with Pandor “and reiterated cooperation on shared priorities, including health, trade, and energy.”
After leaving Simon’s Town, Refinitiv transport information confirmed the vessel, the “Lady R”, sailed north to Mozambique, spending Jan. 7 to 11 within the port of Beira earlier than persevering with to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
It arrived within the Russian port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea on Feb. 16, the info confirmed.
The United States positioned the Lady R and Transmorflot LLC, the transport firm it’s linked to, below sanctions in May 2022 on the grounds the corporate “transports weapons for the (authorities of Russia)”.
SANCTIONS FEAR
Washington has warned that nations offering materials assist to Russia could also be denied entry to U.S. markets.
“This is not just a verbal warning, this is something that the Biden administration has shown through its actions that it is willing to do, including by sanctioning companies in places like China and Turkey,” stated Edward Fishman, a international coverage professional who labored on Russia sanctions throughout President Barack Obama’s administration.
Cameron Hudson, a former CIA analyst and now on the Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated he thought it was unlikely that Washington would impose sanctions or droop South Africa from AGOA, a significant U.S. commerce desire programme for Sub-Saharan Africa, though he stated there have been grounds to.
Authorities in South Africa’s opposition-run Western Cape province stated they feared shedding a marketplace for exports equivalent to oranges, macademia nuts and wine.
The U.S. allegation over the weapons has heaped pressure on the rand forex , already weighed down by considerations over an influence disaster. It struck an all-time low early on Friday earlier than regaining some floor, however remained at its weakest in three years.
Reporting by Kopano Gumbi
Editing by Alexander Winning
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Source link
