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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa meets Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. Photo / Saudi Journal
The accession of Saudi Arabia indicates the potential for a dramatic expansion of the bloc amid mounting tensions with the United States over the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Ramaphosa told reporters of the Saudi move to apply for BRICS membership, while on Sunday he concluded his two-day state visit to the kingdom.
The trip included meetings with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and other Saudi leaders.
“The crown prince has expressed Saudi Arabia’s desire to be part of the BRICS and they are not the only country,” Ramaphosa said.
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The group, named after member states Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will meet next year in Johannesburg for its annual summit.
The prospect of expansion is likely to be high on the agenda, as the bloc should consider adding countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Algeria.
“The BRICS countries will meet at a summit next year under the leadership of South Africa and this issue will be taken into consideration,” Ramaphosa said.
