June 07, 2023
Africa: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Welcomes African Peace Initiative - and Spells Out Two Immutable Principles
Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine has told the African presidents' peace initiative that seceding Ukrainian territory to Russia is a non-starter in peace negotiations, and no peace plan… Read more »
June 06, 2023
South Africa: Ramaphosa Embarks On Attempted 'Course Correction' of SA's Russia Stance
President Cyril Ramaphosa is despatching special envoys to the G7 countries and rethinking Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to SA to counter the impression that the country… Read more »
June 01, 2023
South Africa: South Africa Now Looking to China to Host BRICS Summit, Sources Say
South African official sources have confirmed that Pretoria is considering moving the BRICS summit to China to avoid acting on the ICC's warrant of arrest for Russian President… Read more »
South Africa: BRICS Diplomat Rejects Notion of Moving Summit Away From SA to Legally Accommodate Putin
Sooklal was speaking on Thursday at the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Cape Town, which is preparing for the summit in Gauteng in August. Read more »
May 31, 2023
South Africa: BRICS Foreign Ministers Meet in Cape Town As Questions Mount About Putin's Possible Visit
Can Pretoria legally grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from ICC arrest in time for the BRICS summit in August? Read more »
May 29, 2023
South Africa: Reserve Bank Warns of a Shock to the System Over SA's 'Neutral' Russia-Ukraine Stance
The South African Reserve Bank has warned that perceptions that South Africa's 'neutral' stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a Potemkin one could have devastating consequences… Read more »
South Africa: Govt Grants All Officials (Including Putin) Diplomatic Immunity for BRICS Summit
In preparation for the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting and summit, the South African government has granted diplomatic immunity to all officials involved. Read more »
May 21, 2023
South Africa: Is U.S. Ambassador Reuben Brigety a Loose Cannon - Or a Consummate Professional?
The loose cannon theory seems unlikely. For one thing, Brigety has not retracted anything he said last week. Or not publicly. If he apologised, it would seem he was doing so for… Read more »
May 18, 2023
South Africa: Washington Sours On the ANC, Threatening Trade & Aid
South Africa's ambassador to Washington, Nomaindia Mfeketo, has been missing in action for more than two months through this crisis. She is on sick leave. And the view in… Read more »
South Africa: Lady R Saga Reveals a Ship of State Foundering in a Sea of Uncertainty and Ineptitude
Wherever the truth lies in this sorry saga, what we have is a fundamental lack of transparency and trust between a government and its citizenry. We simply cannot believe what… Read more »
Africa: Russia-Ukraine Conflict 'Far From Being Ripe for Mediation' As African Delegation Heads to Europe, Say Experts
Mediation experts say the Russia-Ukraine war is 'far from being ripe for mediation', as President Cyril Ramaphosa and five other African leaders prepare to undertake a peace… Read more »
April 05, 2023
Zimbabwe: 'Pathway to Hope' - It's Time to Give Zimbabwe Back to the People
Zanu-PF today is a ruling party steeped in patronage politics and captured by rogue capitalists and criminals of all stripes who are making millions out of a crooked system while… Read more »
May 17, 2023
South Africa: Ever-Closer Ties With Russia Jeopardise Annual Exports to U.S. Under AGOA Deal
South Africa exports an enormous amount of goods to the US annually - including vehicles, aluminium, chemicals, fruit, wine, ferroalloys, and even ice cream and edible ice. But now… Read more »
May 15, 2023
South Africa: Army Chief Visits Moscow for Talks About Military Cooperation
Amid a crisis in relations with the US over South Africa's growing relations with Russia, head of the SA army Lieutenant-General Lawrence Mbatha is visiting Moscow for talks on… Read more »
May 14, 2023
South Africa: Ukraine President Zelensky Warns Ramaphosa Against Selling Arms to Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said, in his daily public address on Saturday, delivered from Rome, that he had asked the South African President to support his 'peace… Read more »
May 13, 2023
South Africa: U.S. Rang Alarm Bells About Alleged Russian Arms Trade in February - Minister
The impact on the South African economy of any secondary sanctions which the US might impose on this country because of its stance on Russia's war against Ukraine - including the… Read more »
May 11, 2023
South Africa: Pro-Russia Hawks in ANC Likely to Push Back Against U.S. After Ambassador's Outburst
The ANC is likely to come out swinging, with the pro-Russian faction using US ambassador Reuben Brigety's outburst against South Africa as leverage against détente with the… Read more »
South Africa: U.S. Ambassador Lashes Out At ANC Govt for 'Providing Arms and Ammunition to Russia'
After months of silence about the Russian vessel which docked in Simon's Town, the Presidency's solution to the quagmire is an independent inquiry to be led by a retired judge. Read more »
April 25, 2023
South Africa: Ramaphosa Announces Country's Withdrawal From ICC, Then Presidency Says He Was Mistaken
After the announcement, the Helen Suzman Foundation's Nicole Fritz tweeted: 'Hope whoever briefed the President gives him a fulsome apology. Diplomatic crises resulting from… Read more »
April 20, 2023
South Africa: How Provincial Govt Fixed Up Dilapidated Airport for UAE Royals
Once the hub of the short-lived and grandly named Ciskei International Airways, the Bulembu Airport near Qonce -- despite a multi-million rand facelift in 2007 -- had become a… Read more »
April 13, 2023
South Africa: Guptas' Lawyers Knew About Failed Extradition Long Before South Africa Was Informed
The South African government has investigated the secretive extradition hearings and judgment. A clear picture of Dubai's duplicity is emerging, say sources with first-hand… Read more »
April 02, 2023
South Africa: In Apparent Effort Not to Upset Putin's Russia, ANC Government Bans Arms Sales to Poland
The ANC's South Africa has bet firmly on a dark side of history in selecting its partner of choice in the Russification of its foreign and domestic policy. Its choice is not based… Read more »
Zambia: Zambia Reaps Rewards of Positive Neutrality and Economic Diplomacy While Others Flounder
Maintaining a balance of international partnerships is critical for Zambia's economic development. Foreign powers play a central role in supporting domestic infrastructure, mining… Read more »
March 14, 2023
South Africa: These Five German Energy Companies Are Reviewing Eskom's Operations, Scopa Finally Told
International consultants from a consortium of five Germany-based companies are reviewing Eskom's operations. At least some of their recommendations must be implemented before the… Read more »
February 12, 2023
South Africa: U.S. Is Tightening Its Case Against a Pastor Involved in a Multimillion-Dollar Investment Scam
Two of three accused have been convicted in the US in a Ponzi scheme case involving "pastors" running a multimillion-dollar investment scam and pocketing money. Their convictions… Read more »