South Africa, which has resisted taking sides following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, introduced Thursday it should stage 10-day joint maritime drills with Russia and China subsequent month.
“As (a) means to strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia and China, a multinational maritime exercise between these three countries … will take place,” the military mentioned.
The workouts dubbed “Mosi,” which interprets to “smoke” within the native Tswana language, are scheduled for Feb. 17 to 27, off the port metropolis of Durban and Richards Bay.
It would be the second such train involving the three naval forces, the South African National Defence Force mentioned.
The first was held in November 2019 off the coast of Cape Town.
More than 350 South African military personnel will participate “alongside the Russian and Chinese counterparts, with an aim of sharing operational skills and knowledge,” the military mentioned.
South Africa not too long ago assumed the chairmanship of the BRICS, a grouping that additionally consists of Brazil, Russia, India and China to problem the dominant U.S.- and European-led world governance constructions.
A continental powerhouse, South Africa has refused to sentence Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a struggle that has triggered sweeping Western sanctions.
The most important opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) get together blasted the “silly” workouts being held at “an awkward time in global geopolitical history due to the Russian war in Ukraine”.
The joint maneuvers show that the federal government is “biased”, mentioned DA shadow protection minister Kobus Marais.
He added that “it is obvious that the value for Russia is to showcase its geopolitical influence in southern Africa as part of their global war games against NATO and the USA.”
