South Africa continues to try ‘clear way’ for Putin’s visit

South Africa continues to try and find various ways to deal with the ICC warrant of arrest for Putin before the BRICS summit in August.

Discussions around South Africa’s obligation towards the International Criminal Court (ICC) are ongoing.

This comes as the South African government confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be attending the 15th Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit in South Africa in August.

ICC WANTS PUTIN ARRESTED

The International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier this year issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. The alleged crimes were committed in occupied Ukrainian territory from at least 24 February 2022.

As a member of the ICC, South Africa is expected to arrest Putin when he comes to the country.

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SOUTH AFRICA STILL TO DECIDE IF IT WILL ARREST PUTIN IF HE VISITS

An inter-ministerial committee led by Vice President Paul Mashatile to look at various options for the country before the BRICS summit was appointed.

“Our position, as South Africa, is that we must engage all parties to the conflict. The US is leading Nato, which is part of the conflict in Ukraine. Therefore, it’s important to engage with them.

“We have sent envoys to engage on how we find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. It’s not because we are afraid of being removed from AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act). It’s because we have a responsibility to ensure that there is a peaceful resolution of conflict across the world,” said Minister in the Presidency for State Security Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as quoted by IOL.

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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WARRANT ISSUED BY ICC AND UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Director-General of International Relations and Co-operation, Zane Dangor explained a warrant of arrest issued through the UN Security Council versus a direct one from the ICC.

“This is the first third party state where the warrant of arrest is being issued where that warrant of arrest is not being issued through the Security Council. I think it’s important to emphasise that. If you are a state party, you automatically waive immunity. If you are not a state party, you are presented to the ICC though the security council, immunity is waived. But if you are another party and it doesn’t come through Security Council, article 98 of the Roman Statute requires a waive from that country,” said Dangor as quoted by SABC.

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