South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, has stated that her government will have to discuss the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin before taking any action.
Mr. Putin is scheduled to visit South Africa in August for the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) summit.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Putin last week for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
South Africa is legally obligated to detain Mr. Putin and bring him to trial as a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the court.
According to Ms. Pandor, the South African authorities will first consult with the Russian side about the warrant.
“South Africa will have to examine existing legislative provisions. We will also need to have a discussion as a cabinet, as well as with our Russian colleagues, to determine the best way forward “Ms. Pandor told South African broadcaster SABC.
Despite the Western condemnation, South Africa maintains close diplomatic relations with Moscow. Its navy conducted joint exercises with Russian forces off the coast of South Africa last month. It has also voted against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in UN votes.
The South African government was chastised in 2015 for allowing Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to leave the country despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Mr. Bashir had traveled to South Africa for an African Union summit, and the government claimed he had diplomatic immunity.
Breaking News :Minister of International Relations Dr Naledi Pandor on the @IntlCrimCourt arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/UPRB6EZhOX
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) March 22, 2023
