Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov visits Pretoria to strengthen friendship with South Africa
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during their meeting in Pretoria, January 23, 2023. © Russian Diplomacy Press Service / via AP
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited South Africa on Monday (January 23rd), a country that has been an ally for 30 years and which has refrained from condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The express visit marks Sergei Lavrov's return to the African continent after a tour in July 2021. Isolated in the world, Russia is continuing its seduction operation in Africa and can count on South Africa, which is seeking to strengthen their bilateral relationship. .
This to the chagrin of the Ukrainian diaspora.
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With our correspondent in Johannesburg,
Romain Chanson
Nearly a year after the start of the war in Ukraine, South Africa has not deviated from its initial position: Pretoria continues to call itself neutral and
refuses to speak of a “
Russian invasion
”
.
A satisfaction
for Sergei Lavrov
: “
I would like to salute South Africa for its position of principle, I respect its openness and its responsible approach.
»
For the Ukrainian diaspora in South Africa, this recognition says a lot about
Pretoria's true position
vis-à-vis the conflict.
A small group, led by Anastasia Korpeso demonstrated against the arrival of Sergueï Lavrov: “
The more we sink into the war, the more we are indignant at the South African government, which we unfortunately condemn.
»
Latest outrage: the organization of joint military maneuvers.
The American embassy criticized them, but South Africa has nothing to learn, said Naledi Pandor, the foreign minister:
“
When others are maneuvering, everything is fine, but if unfortunately you are a developing or African country, well you should not do it.
This is called an abuse of international practices.
»
South Africa can't stand
foreign countries commenting on its relationship with Russia
.
This is growing, with several meetings planned between the two countries for 2023.
Many demonstrators beat the pavement in Pretoria against the visit of the head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov on January 23, 2023. © Themba Hadebe / AP
►
To read also:
South Africa at the head of the rotating presidency of the BRICS
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South Africa
Sergei Lavrov
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