The embassy of the Russian Federation in South Africa on Tuesday accused the United States (US) of “hypocrisy” by claiming that South Africa would supply arms to Russia.
“There is absolutely no contradiction here for US officials, gripped heavily by double standards and hypocrisy”the embassy of the Russian Federation in South Africa said in a statement.
In the communique released on its official website, Moscow’s diplomatic mission urged US Ambassador Reuben Brigety to provide “evidence” to support his claims, stating that “the United States appears to have lost the ability to on an equal footing with partners.” terms for a long time”.
“World Hegemony” cannot punish South Africa for its existence “not aligned”he underlined.
The US ambassador to Pretoria, Reuben Brigety, said last week that a Russian freighter docked at the Simon’s Town naval base near Cape Town in December and returned to Russia with weapons and ammunition.
The US diplomat also underlined that South Africa’s non-aligned stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine could affect US-Pretoria trade deals.
The statements of the US ambassador to South Africa were heard with outrage by the South African government, led by the African National Congress (ANC) party in power since 1994, a former ally of Moscow, and the extreme leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). ), the third largest opposition party in the country.
The embassy of the Russian Federation in South Africa later today responded to Washington’s accusations, urging the US diplomat to also explain “the reason why Russia would need weapons and ammunition made in South Africa and which do not match the types or calibers of current systems.” in service with the Armed Forces of Russia”.
“And how would such a miniscule amount of ‘arms and ammunition’ supposedly ‘loaded on the ship’ affect the situation on the battlefield anyway,” he added.
In the statement, the Russian embassy in South Africa questioned “why the US diplomat is comfortable with the fact that his country and its satellites have been supplying weapons to Ukraine since 2014”.
“Why does Ambassador Brigety not say a word about the use of these weapons to attack cities in Donbass on a daily basis, as well as the Bryansk and Belgorod regions of Russia, and why does he not express concern that these weapons are in the hands of terrorists in Europe and around the world”the embassy of the Russian Federation in South Africa said in the statement.
Moscow’s response comes on the heels of recent tensions between Washington and Pretoria over alleged South African military support and its “non-aligned” position towards Western countries since the start of the Russian military offensive in Ukraine.
The South African government stated that there was no record of state-approved arms sales to Russia during the period in question and President Ramaphosa announced an investigation into the matter.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to organize a peacekeeping mission and African heads of state [promotores da iniciativa] in Moscow and Kiev,” Ramaphosa announced today at a press conference in Cape Town.
In addition to South Africa, which is leading the peace initiative, the mission will include Senegal, Zambia, Congo, Uganda and Egypt, the South African head of state said.
“The Secretary-General of the United Nations [António Guterres] was informed and welcomed the initiative”said Ramaphosa.
Source: DN
