BRICS Summit details announced ‘soon’ - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the details of the BRICS Summit will be announced ahead of the event, which is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg in August.
Ramaphosa made the remarks at the ANC’s Western Cape provincial conference on Sunday.
South Africa is set to host the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China at the 15th BRICS Summit from 22 to 24 August.
The hosting of the summit has left the government in a diplomatic bind, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to attend the event.
The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Putin for alleged war crimes during the war against Ukraine.
South Africa, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, would be obliged to arrest the Russian leader,
"We are going to be holding the BRICS Summit in August, and yes, that BRICS Summit is going to take place, and it’s going to go on, and we will be outlining precisely how that summit is going to be held,” said Ramaphosa.
The president told delegates South Africa’s primary concern is the loss of life during the conflict.
"Our main concern is to prevent further loss of life, harm and destruction in that part of the world in Ukraine through the sensation of hostilities and the achievement of lasting peace, and one of the things we sort to do is to go and share an African perspective and in our case to give them the Nelson Mandela lesson 101 on peace on how peace can be achieved."
He said an announcement would be made on the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"There is a great deal of impatience, they want to know if so-and-so is coming or so-and-so not coming and all of that. I have often said that yes, we will make that announcement, and we will make that knowledge known to everybody."
ALSO READ
