Court papers released on Tuesday (July 18) revealed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement in an affidavit that arresting Russian President Vladimir Putin would amount to declaration of war. South Africa is currently wrangling with the issue of hosting Putin for upcoming BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. The issue has gained importance especially in light of ongoing Ukraine war. Putin has an arrest wasn’t against him issued by International Criminal Court.
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The diplomatic dilemma South Africa finds itself in is playing out in court. The leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is trying to corner the government and force its hand to ensure that Putin is arrested and handed over to the ICC.
“It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia,” he said, adding that this would go against his duty to protect the country.
Seeking exemption
South Africa is currently seeking an exemption under ICC rules. It is saying that enacting on the arrest would threaten “security, peace and order of the state,” he said.
South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group, a gathering of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China, which sees itself as a counter-balance to Western economic domination.
Paul Mashatile, Deputy South African President has said in recent interviews with local media that the government has been trying to pursuade Putin not to come. But these efforts have been unsuccessful so far.
Signed in June and initially marked as “confidential”, Ramaphosa’s affidavit was published on Tuesday, after the court ruled related papers be made public.
