The Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov leaves the port of Cape Town heading for Durban where she is to carry out naval exercises with the South African and Chinese navies, in Cape Town, South Africa, February 15, 2023. STRINGER / REUTERS
The South African army was preparing on Friday off its coast in the Indian Ocean for controversial naval exercises with Russia and China, which arouse “worryon the international scene in the context of the war in Ukraine.
“The Russian frigate has arrived in Durban. The Chinese boat will arrive later. We are in the preparation phase, the main maneuver will take place on February 22“, said a military source to AFP.
“Neutral” position
South Africa announced joint exercises with the Russian and Chinese navies last month.with the aim of sharing skills and operational knowledge“. Operations involving more than 350 South African soldiers are to continue until February 27 off Durban (southeast), the largest port in southern Africa, and Richards Bay some 180 km further north.
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South Africa has taken a neutral stance since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began nearly a year ago, refusing to join Western calls to condemn Moscow. The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, visiting Pretoria last month, spoke of “irritating thingsabout relations between South Africa and Russia.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, when asked about these joint military maneuvers, said “the concern of the United States“. South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, for her part, declared after a meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, who was visiting Pretoria in January, that “all countries conduct military exercises with their friends“.
Call to protest
The Association of Ukrainians in South Africa called for demonstrations on Friday in Cape Town and on Saturday in Durban. “It is regrettable that South Africa enters Russian propaganda and chooses to participate in joint naval training“, condemned the organization on Twitter.
The Russian military frigateAdmiral Gorshkovdocked in Cape Town on Monday en route to Durban. “This ship will sail to the Black Sea and participate in the invasion of Ukraine“, had commented Kobus Marais, of the first opposition party (DA, Democratic Alliance), warning against the risk for South Africa of being considered as “accomplice in war crimes“.
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