Vladimir Putin South Africa Brics summit

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) attend the first plenary session as part of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, Russia, on October 24, 2019. (Photo by Sergei CHIRIKOV / POOL / AFP)

Ramaphosa sends ministers to G7 to clarify non-aligned stance

Ramaphosa is sending four cabinet members to the G7 to address concerns over South Africa’s neutral position on the Ukraine conflict.

Vladimir Putin South Africa Brics summit

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) attend the first plenary session as part of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, Russia, on October 24, 2019. (Photo by Sergei CHIRIKOV / POOL / AFP)

President Cyril Ramaphosa will dispatch four cabinet members to the Group of Seven (G7) nations to address concerns over South Africa’s neutral stance on the conflict in Ukraine.

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South Africa’s Neutral Stance on Ukraine Conflict Raises Concerns among Trading Partners

According to Bloomberg, South Africa’s refusal to take sides and its abstention from United Nations (UN) votes to condemn Russia has put a strain on relationships with trading partners, including the United States.

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After allegations that South Africa supplied Russia with arms from US Ambassador Reuben Brigety, the Rand hit a record low.

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This picture taken on May 31, 2023 near Centurion, South Africa, shows a general view of a billboard from a campaign by NGO Avaaz urging South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to arrest Rusian President Vladimir Putin if the Russian President were to attend a planned summit in the country. – Pretoria has been faced with a diplomatic dilemma since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Putin, who is supposed to visit the nation for a BRICS meeting in August. (Photo by Luca Sola / AFP)

Diplomatic mission

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor and two other ministers are tasked with explaining the country’s non-aligned stance and commitment to an independent foreign policy that promotes peaceful conflict resolution.

“As we work to strengthen ties of trade and investment, we also seek to build support for a more inclusive, representative and equitable world order,” said Godongwana, per Bloomberg.

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