(Security): Russian Leader Putin's Visit to South Africa, a Headache for the Government

 

Russia's President Vladimir Putin will be attending the Brics Summit in August this year, on invitation by the South African government. Brics is a group of the world's biggest emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and late-addition South Africa.

The International Criminal Court in the Hague has, since the Putin invitation, issued a warrant of arrest for the Russian leader for war crimes stemming from the conflict with Ukraine that started over a year ago on February 28, 2022.

The ICC warrant means that South Africa, a signatory to the ICC, will be obliged to arrest Putin and hand him over if he sets foot on South African soil. But being a member of Brics, South Africa cannot arrest him either. 

The war has caused economic suffering around the world, and has impacted on imports, exports and the supply of gas and wheat. Significant political and economic challenges for African countries were the result. 

Already reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war between Russia and Ukraine and its economic fallout brought more pain as high food and fuel prices worsened the political instability many countries are facing.

However, other groups in South Africa, including the EFF party led by Jullius Malema promised to protect and ensure safe visit by Putin to the country for the summit. 

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