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South Africa could face “consequences” from the international community after undertaking military drills with Russia over the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, opposition leaders in the country believe. Russian warships have spent the past 10 days week in South African waters undergoing navy exercises including live ammunitions on targets in a naval exercise dubbed Mosi II.

But opposition leaders feared it signals a worrying embrace of Russia. The exercise also includes Chinese naval ships and more than 350 members of the South African armed forces. “We are concerned mainly that the South Africa government has welcomed Russian military aggression into the previously peaceful waters of the Southern Ocean,” said in a statement issued jointly by The Green Connection, Extinction Rebellion Cape Town, Kai Tikquoa Conservancy and the Ukrainian Association of South Africa.

“This not only sends a signal of South African alignment with the aggressor that violates the UN Charter, but also creates a risk for further confrontation between South Africa and its other trading partners.”

Dr Leaza Jernberg, an independent analyst and African foreign policy expert, argued that not everyone in South Africa is unhappy with the arrival of Russian warships, telling i how former President Zuma’s major foreign policy achievement was joining the BRICS grouping which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. There is a “more pro-Russian side around Zuma [and that] his supporters are still in positions of power,” she said.

https://inews.co.uk/news/world/consequences-south-africa-russian-naval-drills-2176114