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Russian-Chinese troops will hold joint exercises off the coast of South Africa. PHOTOS/Reuters
JOHANNESBURG – Russia and China will conduct Naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, offshore south Africa next month. This is another indication of strengthening their relationship with the most developed countries in Africa.
The South African Armed Forces said Thursday that it and the Russian and Chinese navies would engage in a “multinational maritime exercise” from February 17-27 off South Africa’s east coast near the cities of Durban and Richards Bay.
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The announcement comes days before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visits South Africa and holds talks with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.
South Africa’s government said last year it had adopted a neutral stance on Ukraine and called for dialogue and diplomacy. But the upcoming naval exercises have led the country’s main opposition party to accuse the government of effectively siding with Russia.
The South African government denies taking sides and has called for an end to the war in Ukraine. However, the South African National Defense Forces (SANDF), said next month’s Naval exercises would “strengthen the already developed relationship between South Africa, Russia and China”.
“The aim of the exercise is to share operational skills and knowledge,” said the SANDF statement, as quoted by AP.
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The three countries also conducted a similar naval exercise in 2019 in Cape Town. Meanwhile, Russia and China held joint naval exercises in the East China Sea last month.
South Africa, the West’s main partner, was one of several African countries to abstain in last year’s UN vote condemning the Russian invasion. The United States and the European Union hope South Africa will support international condemnation of Russia and act as a leader for the rest of Africa.
