Sun. Feb 9th, 2025

October 24, 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has distanced itself from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assertion that Russia is a valuable ally of South Africa. Ramaphosa made the comment during bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin while attending a BRICS summit in Russia.

DA leader John Steenhuisen firmly rejected this characterization, stating that the party does not view Russia or Putin as allies. He criticized the notion of aligning with an “authoritarian regime” engaged in violations of international law through its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“We cannot and will not agree that South Africa should consider an authoritarian regime that is currently violating international law… as an ally,” Steenhuisen emphasized. He expressed concern that such statements could jeopardize South Africa’s international relations and economic growth prospects, which are crucial for job creation.

In July 2023, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest over war crimes related to the conflict in Ukraine. Following this, the DA-led Western Cape government declared that if Putin entered the province, he would be arrested by local law enforcement.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde remarked, “If the South African Police Service is not instructed to act, we will.”

The DA has criticized the national government’s neutral stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine since it began in February 2022.

In response, African National Congress (ANC) deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane acknowledged the DA’s right to its foreign policy position but found it unfortunate that an agriculture minister would oppose the national government’s stance, especially given the interest of South African farmers in accessing the Russian market. She reiterated that foreign policy decisions rest with the president.

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