Arrest of President Vladimir Putin: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Declares War on Russia

JOHANNESBURG, KOMPAS.com – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday (18/7/2023) said the arrest of President Vladimir Putin amounted to a declaration of war on Russia.

Putin was invited to the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month but is now the target of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

As a member of the ICC, South Africa is expected to implement the warrant if Putin is present.

Also read: Putin Responds to the Possibility of Ukraine Using Cluster Bombs from the US

The dilemma also occurred in the South African government. The leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is trying to force the government to implement the ICC letter, but Ramaphosa says the DA’s proposal puts national security at risk.

“Russia has made it clear that arresting its president now would be a declaration of war,” Ramaphosa said, quoted by the AFP news agency.

“It is not in accordance with our constitution to risk getting involved in a war with Russia,” he continued, adding that the letter went against his duty to protect the country.

South Africa is seeking an exemption from the ICC on the grounds that arresting Putin could threaten national security, peace and order.

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South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group which is home to heavyweights including Brazil, Russia, India and China. They see their group as a counterbalance to Western economic dominance.

Putin is wanted by the ICC over accusations that Russia illegally deported Ukrainian children.

Meanwhile, South African Vice President Paul Mashatile said in a recent interview with local media that the government had tried to persuade Putin not to come, but to no avail.

Also read: South Africa wants to leave ICC because of Putin’s arrest warrant

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2023-07-19 01:17:00
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