diplomacy
Baerbock promotes action against the Ukraine war in South Africa
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is traveling to South Africa today for talks. photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
South Africa has officially declared itself neutral in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. But there is also an allegation that Moscow was supplying arms. It’s a tricky short trip for Baerbock.
During her visit to South Africa, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wants to encourage the country to do even more to end Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
“When the country of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutus raises his voice against injustice, the world listens,” said the Green politician yesterday before leaving for South Africa, referring to the fighters against the racist apartheid system that ended in the early 1990s. That’s why she wants to speak in the capital, Pretoria, “about how South Africa can bring its weight to the table to end Russian aggression and uphold the UN Charter.”
Key partner in global issues
Baerbock paid tribute to the peace initiative of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was recently in Russia and Ukraine with a high-ranking African delegation to mediate efforts – albeit without any discernible success. Ramaphosa and his counterparts “made it clear that the brutal war in Europe also affects Africa,” said Baerbock.
Dealing with Russia is likely to play a central role in Baerbock’s meeting with her counterpart Naledi Pandor today. South Africa officially declares itself neutral in the conflict.
The intensification of relations between Germany and South Africa is in the geopolitical interest of both countries, stressed Baerbock. That’s why, given the dramatic developments in Russia, it’s important to her “right now to hold talks with our South African partners and to better understand their perspective on the world situation.” The country is a key partner on global issues such as the climate crisis, international health and food security.
Naval maneuvers with Russia and China drew criticism
A South African naval maneuver with Russia and China as well as visits to Moscow by politicians from the governing party ANC and high-ranking military officers caused criticism this year. The US ambassador in Pretoria accused South Africa of supplying arms and ammunition to Russia via a Russian ship anchored at a military base in December. President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to look into the matter.
Will South Africa arrest Putin at Brics summit?
A summit of the Brics countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) from August 22 to 24 in South Africa is being eagerly awaited, to which Putin has also been invited, because he is now being sought with an international arrest warrant for his war of aggression , he would face arrest there. So far, South Africa has not made a clear statement about the procedure should Putin actually arrive. An announcement by Ramaphosa that he would resign from the criminal court was dismissed by his spokesman as a “mistake”.
South Africa is Germany’s most important partner country south of the Sahara and, like Germany, a member of the G20 group of leading industrialized and emerging countries. Like others on the continent, the country has a bond with Russia as the successor state to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had supported numerous freedom movements during the Cold War – including the African National Congress (ANC) in the fight against the apartheid system. Baerbock had shortened her visit, which was originally planned to two days, because of the attempted coup in Russia and canceled appointments in Cape Town.
The topics of hydrogen, energy and skilled workers play a major role
In Pretoria, Baerbock and Pandor also wanted to chair a meeting of the German-South African binational commission that was set up in 1996 and meets every two years. It should be about cooperation on the topics of green hydrogen and dual training of specialists. After that, Baerbock plans to visit a vanadium mine. According to the spokesman, vanadium is an essential component for the production of sustainable batteries.