The US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety has issued an apology for his comments regarding arms sales to Russia following a meeting with International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor on Friday, 12 May 2023.
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Accusations by Brigety have caused a diplomatic uproar. He claimed the weapons were loaded onto a Russian cargo ship that docked at Simon’s Town Naval Base in December 2023 before being transported to Russia.
According to Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela, Pandor requested that Brigety provide evidence to support his claims that South Africa was supplying Russia with weapons, which Brigety could not provide.
Monyela emphasized that the government’s National Conventional Arms Control Committee had not approved any sales of arms to Russia during the relevant period.
Monyela said that the relations between South Africa and the US are strategic and far too important, ‘In our meeting we reminded ambassador Brigety that the government’s National Conventional Arms Control Committee is on record saying they’ve not approved any sale of arms to Russia related to the period or incident in question. Therefore any assertion that South Africa (government) sold arms or is arming Russia is factually incorrect.’
During the meeting, Brigety confirmed that South Africa has strong trade and other relations with the US, ‘In our conversation, I re-affirmed the strong partnership between our two countries and the important agenda our Presidents have given us,’ said Brigety.
‘I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Pandor this evening and correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks,’ said Brigety.
While the US ambassador apologised for his comments, some have raised concerns about the language used in his apology posted on Twitter.
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Picture: @ClaysonMonyela / Twitter