South Africa said it would conduct a normal naval exercise with Russia and China on Friday.
Yet, the plan has sparked local criticism as well as concerns that the drills may jeopardize vital relationships with Western partners.
Global powers are competing for influence in Africa as global tensions rise as a result of the Ukraine conflict and China’s increasingly hostile stance toward self-ruled Taiwan.
Several African countries are refusing to take sides in order to profit from the diplomatic tug-of-war.
Experts, on the other hand, believe that hosting the 10-day Mosi II exercise, which coincides with the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, is a risky decision.
“These exercises are going to be a lightning rod,” said Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Affairs.
South Africa said it maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict and abstained from voting on a U.N. resolution last year condemning Russia.
Pointing to similar exercises it’s held with other international partners, including one with France in November, it has rejected criticism.
South Africa’s defence ministry in January said “South Africa, like any independent and sovereign state, has a right to conduct its foreign relations in line with its national interests.”
However, six South Africa-based diplomats, all from NATO or EU countries, told Reuters they condemned the exercise.
“It’s not right, and we told them that we do not approve,” one said. (Reuters/NAN)
