South African finance minister Enoch Godongwana revealed that the US had raised the alarm about alleged Russian arms trade in February of this year. The US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen suspected South Africa of loading weapons and ammunition onto the Russian cargo ship Lady R in December 2020. The implications of potential secondary sanctions from the US due to South Africa’s stance on Russia’s actions in Ukraine would be “massive”, according to Godongwana.
The South African government, upon hearing these allegations, reacted quickly by appointing a retired judge to investigate the matter. At the same time, it sent national security adviser Sydney Mufamadi to the US to negotiate with administration officials, members of Congress, and other stakeholders about the situation. During a briefing by Mufamadi to describe his mission’s success, he claimed that they had reached an understanding with the US about South Africa’s position on the Russia-Ukrainian conflict and other relevant concerns.
The tension between the US and South Africa has been building, leading to a public statement from the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, this week. Brigety spoke out about the alleged supply of arms and ammunition to Russia on the Lady R. The South African government denies any wrongdoing, but the issue has raised concerns about the implications on the country’s economy if sanctioned by the US.
In response to the allegations, opposition parties have called for thorough investigations and transparency from the government. The situation is ongoing, and South Africa will need to navigate these diplomatic tensions carefully to prevent any significant economic implications.
