BRICS
South Africa’s extreme leftist opposition party encouraged the leaders of China, India, and Brazil on Saturday to skip the BRICS conference next month in solidarity with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who will not be present.
Putin’s anticipated visit had posed a diplomatic and legal quandary for South Africa, as he is wanted by the International Criminal Court, but it was announced earlier this month that he will not participate in person.
Leader Julius Malema of South Africa’s third-largest party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), called on the remaining BRICS leaders to skip the August 22-24 summit in solidarity with Putin.
“In solidarity with President Putin, we call on the presidents of the People’s Republic of China, India, and Brazil not to attend the BRICS summit”, Malema added.
Malema also accused the US of threatening South Africa by asking that it turn against Russian President Vladimir Putin in exchange for remaining part of the landmark African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers duty-free access to most exports.
“They can take away AGOA and leave us with our sovereignty”, the 42-year-old stated to a stadium packed with over 90,000 fans dressed in the party’s signature crimson.
The EFF, which is inspired by Marxism-Leninism, was commemorating its tenth anniversary.
The African Union and Cuban flags hang from the stage.
Malema has denounced the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the country since its inception as a democracy in 1994, and has promised to depose them in the next election.
The EFF staged a national protest in March in an attempt to force President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign over his handling of the country’s sickly economy and debilitating energy crisis.
Malusi Khwane, a 46-year-old father dressed in an EFF jacket and beret, told the media he was fed up with the ANC government.
“With EFF, things will change. With our help, they may have a better chance of winning the election next year”, Khwane added.
Also read: Putin On Peace Talk With Ukraine: “We Cannot Cease Fire”
