Western diplomats were alarmed at South Africa carrying out naval exercises with Russia and China this year, and at the timing of a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. South Africa is one of Russia’s most important allies on a continent divided over its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but says it is impartial and has abstained from voting on UN resolutions on the war. On Friday, a minister responsible for arms control and a foreign ministry spokesman said South Africa had not approved any arms shipment to Russia in December. He did not say whether or not an unapproved shipment had left South Africa. Ambassador summonedBrigety was summoned on Friday to meet South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 13, 2023 04:41 UTC