19 May 2023: What is the US saying about South Africa’s alliance with Russia ? Why ? Read to know more.
The US ambassador in South Africa, Reuben Brigety has accused the government of that nation of supplying Russia with guns and ammunition during its occupation of Ukraine, raising tensions between the two countries
Reuben E. Brigety II, the ambassador, told the press that Washington had reason to think that the Russian ship Lady R, which arrived at a South African naval facility close to Cape Town last December, "uploaded weapons and ammunition."
“We are confident that weapons were loaded on to that vessel and I would bet my life on the accuracy of that assertion. The arming of Russia by South Africa … is fundamentally unacceptable.” Mr. Brigety said.
In picture: Reuben E. Brigety II, the US ambassador in South Africa. Picture source: Wikipedia
In response, the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said it was "disappointing" that Brigety had "adopted a counter productive public posture" but also declared the beginning of an investigation into the incident.
In picture: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
There has been a lot of criticism by South African citizens on the remarks of Mr. Brigety.
South Africa has declined to criticize Ukraine's incursion whereas Moscow has been completely alienanted by most Nations.
However, opponents point to a number of recent episodes as proof of a shift towards the Russian government. It performed a combined military exercise with Russia and China earlier this year, and last month, an authorized Russian military cargo plane arrived in the middle of the night at an air force base to deliver what defense officials characterized as "diplomatic mail."
The accusation by Ambassador Brigety that Pretoria is supplying weapons to Moscow is the most pointed diplomatic punch yet in an increasingly volatile relationship. He made the remarks at a press conference in Pretoria open solely to South African media agencies.
