US Ambassador Accuses South Africa of Supplying Weapons to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

The US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, has accused the country of supplying weapons to Russia, despite its supposed neutrality in the conflict in Ukraine.

Brigety claimed that a Russian ship was loaded with ammunition and arms in Cape Town last December and was "confident" that the ship, the Lady R, uploaded weapons and ammunition "as it made its way back to Russia." The South African government denied the claims, and President Cyril Ramaphosa's office stated that no evidence had been provided to support them. In response to the allegations, the South African government established an independent inquiry led by a retired judge.

The US has been critical of South Africa's continued relationship with Russia, including its participation in military exercises with Russia and China during the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. South Africa has maintained claims of neutrality in the invasion of Ukraine, abstaining from a UN vote condemning the invasion and refusing to join the US and Europe in imposing sanctions on Russia.

If the claims are true, it would weaken South Africa's claim of neutrality and could suggest that the country is complicit in the ongoing aggression of Russia in Ukraine.
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