South Africa Clears Accusation of Supplying Weapons to Russian Ship, Easing Tensions with US
An investigation conducted in South Africa has refuted the allegations made by the United States that the country supplied weapons to a Russian ship that was under US sanctions. The accusation had strained the relations between the US and South Africa, the most industrialized economy in Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared on Sunday that the inquiry “found that there was no evidence to support the claim that the ship transported weapons from South Africa destined for Russia,” as alleged by the US ambassador to Pretoria earlier this year. He further stated, “None of the allegations made about the supply of weapons to Russia have been proven to be true. None of the persons who made these allegations could provide any evidence to support the claims.”
The vessel in question, called the Lady R and owned by Russia’s MG-FLOT, docked at the Simon’s Town base in Cape Town under mysterious circumstances in December. The ship had appeared to switch off its transponder signal, raising suspicions. At the time, South Africa’s defense ministry stated that the ship had carried a delivery for its armed forces.
Ambassador Reuben Brigety had claimed in May that the US government was confident that the vessel had also loaded weapons and ammunition in Cape Town on its way back to Russia, despite the lack of official approval from South Africa’s government for arms exports to Russia or Ukraine since the war began.
These allegations not only caused a diplomatic storm for Ramaphosa’s government but also had significant repercussions on South Africa’s financial markets, as trade ties connecting key South African export industries to the US suddenly became uncertain.
“The allegations leveled against our country had a damaging effect on our currency, economy, and our standing in the world,” Ramaphosa acknowledged on Sunday.
While Brigety and the US government did not provide specific evidence to support their accusation, Ramaphosa’s government was also unable to outright deny it. In response, a retired judge was appointed to head an inquiry to investigate the matter.
This accusation was a result of growing frustration in Washington over South Africa’s ties to Russia, including joint naval exercises on the anniversary of the war in Ukraine and what was perceived as Pretoria’s hesitancy in condemning the invasion.
However, the Biden administration has since taken steps to mend relations with South Africa, the largest US trading partner in Africa. Washington has reached out to several non-aligned nations, including South Africa, to challenge Russia’s narrative of the conflict in an effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
On Sunday, the US State Department expressed its appreciation for the seriousness of the inquiry into the Lady R and confirmed that it had been in direct communication with the South African government. The department stated that it looked forward to continuing conversations through diplomatic channels on shared priorities, including trade, health, and climate.
Ramaphosa has also taken initiatives to prevent trade preferences favoring South Africa’s access to US markets from being withdrawn. He has played a more prominent role in African diplomacy regarding the war, with visits to Kyiv and Moscow.
Ramaphosa revealed on Sunday that the inquiry into the Lady R had confirmed that the vessel had indeed supplied materiel to South Africa’s armed forces. While the full report of the inquiry will not be published due to military security concerns, an executive summary will be released on Monday.
The US embassy in Pretoria has not yet provided a comment on the matter.
It should be noted that the US had imposed sanctions on MG-FLOT at the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, citing the company’s alleged role in transporting weapons for the Russian government.