Washington, May 12 (EFE).- The United States ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, spoke this Friday with the South African Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, to “correct” the misinterpretations that occurred after accusing the African country of having supplied weapons to Russia for the Ukrainian war.
“I had the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Pandor tonight and correct any misinterpretation left by my public comments,” the diplomat explained on Twitter.
Brigety said that in the conversation he reaffirmed “the strong alliance” between the United States and South Africa, as well as “the important agenda” of issues that both presidents have.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also called on Pandor on Friday to stress the importance of the strategic relationship between the United States and South Africa” as well as cooperation on trade, health and energy issues, the State Department reported.
The controversy arose after the US ambassador assured at a press conference in Pretoria that South Africa provided weapons to Russia through the Russian ship Lady R, which docked at the Simon’s Town naval base in Cape Town (southwest), in December of last year.
“Arming the Russians is extremely serious. And we do not consider that this problem is solved. And we would like South Africa to practice its policy of non-alignment”, stressed the diplomat.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that his government is investigating the US ambassador’s allegations and explained that he will give more details when the inquiry is complete.
South Africa claims to have adopted a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and has called for dialogue to resolve the conflict.
This position is not only linked to the strategic political and economic role that Moscow has in some African countries, but also to historical reasons such as Russian support for anti-colonial and liberation movements of the 20th century, such as the fight against the segregationist “apartheid” regime. ” in the case of South Africa.
