South Africa on Monday dismissed international criticism surrounding its joint military drills with Russia and China.
South Africa’s Stance
During a joint press conference after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister (FM) Sergei Lavrov in Pretoria, South African FM Naledi Pandor told reporters that “All countries conduct military exercises with friends worldwide” and it was simply “the natural course of relations.”
Similarly, the South African armed forces said last week that the exercise was a “means to strengthen the already flourishing relations” between the three countries.
At Davos, Foreign Relations Minister Naledi Pandor was asked why South Africa & Russia were having joint naval exercises this February.
— Bo Mbindwane (@mbindwane) January 18, 2023
“Russia is a powerful military power,We would like our forces to be trained at a higher level & have skills that would help in peacekeeping…” pic.twitter.com/aDNG2967JE
In addition, Pandor said that although the country had initially called on Russia to withdraw its military from Ukraine unilaterally, it no longer holds this stance.
Pandor argued that repeating the demand to Russia now would make her “appear quite simplistic and infantile,” given the West’s “massive transfer of arms (to Ukraine) ... and all that has occurred (since).”
Moreover, she thanked Lavrov for the “most wonderful meeting,” which she earlier said would have helped “strengthen the already good relations” with South Africa’s “valued partner.”
In earlier comments on Monday, Pandor said that South Africa “will always stand ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts on the (African) continent and throughout the globe.”
International Criticism
The 10-day joint exercise, which begins on February 17, has become controversial, as it will be underway on February 24, the one-year anniversary of what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
This has garnered criticism from countries, such as the US, which called the drill concerning.
ON AIR: Minister Naledi Pandor delivers her opening remarks during an official visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, H.E Mr Sergey Lavrov to the Republic of South Africa pic.twitter.com/KPM3OtX1mD
— Ubuntu Radio DSTV888 (@UbuntuRadioZA) January 23, 2023
Echoing comments from August, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US had “concerns” about “any country exercising with Russia while Russia wages an unprovoked, brutal war against Ukraine.” “But, of course, every participating country will make its own decisions.”
Timing and Significance
Lavrov’s visit to the only powerful Russian ally on the continent comes ahead of a Russia-Africa summit in July, and a day ahead of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to the country, which will include a pit stop in South Africa.
Yellen said the tour aimed to bring Washington’s “message of promise and partnership.”
Arrival | Official visit to the Republic of South Africa by H.E Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, 23 January 2023.
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) January 23, 2023
📍#DIRCO, OR Tambo building, Pretoria.#BilateralRelations #SARussiaRelations 🇿🇦🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/us3wfUAfiz
The exercise has gained further media coverage, as Russia’s warship, Admiral Gorshkov, which is armed with the hypersonic Zircon missiles, will participate in the combined navy drills next month. The Zircon missiles travel at nine times the speed of sound and have a range of over 1,000 kilometres.