South Africa Clears Way For Russian President’s Visit

South Africa has declared diplomatic immunity for foreign officials attending the bricks summit in August, potentially opening the door for the attendance of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

In a gazette notice on Monday, foreign affairs minister Naledi Pandor said the immunity also applies thus:

Officials attending the bricks foreign ministers’ meeting starting on Thursday in south Africa.

The notice comes amid pressure on the south African government to make a decision on the attendance of Mr Putin,

who is wanted by the international criminal court for war crimes allegedly committed during his country’s invasion of Ukraine.

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As a signatory to the ice’s Rome statute, south Africa is expected to enforce the war crimes warrant and arrest Mr Putin.

Meanwhile, the south African defense force (SANDF) on Monday said it would not arrest Mr Putin if he

attends the bricks summit, as it did not have the power to enforce the arrest.

The notice comes amid pressure on the South African government to make a decision on the attendance of Mr Putin,

who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes allegedly committed during his country’s invasion of Ukraine.

As a signatory to the ICC’s Rome Statute, South Africa is expected to enforce the war crimes warrant and arrest Mr Putin.

Meanwhile, the South African Defence Force (SANDF) on Monday said it would not arrest

Mr Putin if he attends the Brics summit, as it did not have the power to enforce the arrest.

SANDF chief Rudzani Maphwanywa, while acknowledging the ICC’s warrant, said that the army operates within the framework of international law and respects diplomatic immunities.