The publication's accreditation to cover the Summit in St Petersburg this week, was rescinded without explanation on the eve of departure.

Russian authorities on Monday revoked Daily Maverick foreign policy specialist Peter Fabricius' accreditation to cover the Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg this week.

This was after Fabricius was previously granted accreditation to travel to Russia for the second Russia-Africa Summit on 27 and 28 July. He was informed in writing that he had received accreditation for the event on Tuesday, 18 July.

However, on Monday, 24 July, Fabricius was informed that the Summit's Organising Committee had cancelled his accreditation for the 2023 Summit. When Daily Maverick requested the Organising Committee reconsider the decision, it was told that "revision is not possible."

No explanation was given for reversal. Fabricius, who attended the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi in 2019, was scheduled to depart South Africa for Russia on Tuesday.

African leaders will this week travel to St Petersburg for the second Russia-Africa Summit which begins on Thursday.

On 21 June, the Presidency shared a media invitation for the summit in St Petersburg, requesting that media who wished to attend and cover the event apply for accreditation by 5 July.

The presidency has said that Cyril Ramaphosa will be at the summit. He will be accompanied by International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor...