ANC ‘happy’ to put Putin matter to rest, EFF fumes
While the ANC expressed relief that the Vladimir Putin conundrum would no longer dominate the headlines, the EFF said the decision was made due to the government’s inability to guarantee security for the Russian president.
South Africa will host the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China at the 15th BRICS Summit set to be held in Johannesburg in August.
The Presidency announced on Wednesday that a mutual agreement was reached that Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The diplomatic solution means the South African government is able to focus on preparations for the summit without the question of the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Putin hanging over its head.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said that although the party wanted Putin to attend the summit, it welcomed the mutual agreement to see him stay home.
"We acknowledge and welcome this, finally laying that matter to rest in order for us and developing countries to focus on the pressing issues of the day, dealing with poverty and unemployment and fighting for a humane and fair society.
“We still welcome the fact that the Russian Federation will be represented by the foreign minister and the diplomats are based in South Africa.
“The consultation process undertaken by the president with President Putin alongside other leaders of the BRICS member state must have come to some wisdom about the need to let the BRICS Summit focus on the pressing issues in the geopolitical situation," said Bhengu-Motsiri.
Meanwhile, the EFF, which had vowed to protect Putin if he decides to visit South Africa, said the outcome was not unexpected.
"In a typical Western imperialist fashion, South Africa faced threats of losing financial and political ties with the West unless they arrested President Putin. The United States of America even threatened to withdraw South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as a form of pressure.
“It must therefore be highlighted that President Putin's withdrawal is a consequence of the South African state's reluctance to be firm on international affairs and its inability to resist pressure from NATO.
“Further hypocrisy lies in the fact that the ICC has not prosecuted individuals like George Bush and Tony Blair for war crimes, raising questions about its impartiality, yet our government bows to its threats," the red berets said in a statement.
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