By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Russia has rejected an appeal by South Africa, urging Moscow not to send President Vladimir Putin to next month’s BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa’s Vice President told local media on Friday.
“We understand we are bound by the Rome Statute but we can’t invite someone and then you arrest them. You can understand our dilemma,” South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile told Mail & Guardian.
“We would be happy if he [Putin] doesn’t come,” he added.
Russian officials had earlier informed The Moscow Times that Putin’s attendance remained uncertain, arising from an International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children and an allegation of crime against humanity in Kyiv.
Under the Rome Statute, South Africa is required to arrest Putin if he travels to Johannesburg as a signatory of the Statute that governs the ICC.
South Africa had instead requested Moscow to send Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov to lead Russia’s delegation at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg scheduled for August 22-24, instead of President Putin himself.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to hold an in-person Summit as against virtual, despite the ICC arrest warrant against Putin.
South African Vice President said Brazil, India, China and South Africa opposed holding the BRICS summit virtually, while India and Brazil rejected moving the 2023 Summit to China.
Kremlin official told The Moscow Times that South Africa provided “security guarantees” for Putin during Ramaphosa’s visit to St. Petersburg in June.
Moscow said Friday the modalities of the upcoming BRICS Summit was still being worked out.
South Africa has not condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, saying it remains neutral and prefers dialogue as it spearheads an African initiative to resolve the conflict.
