South Africa, which has refused to take sides after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, announced Thursday it will hold a 10-day joint maritime exercise with Russia and China next month.
“As (a) means to strengthen the relationship that has developed between South Africa, Russia and China, a multinational maritime exercise between these three countries … will take place,” the army said.
350 army personnel participated
The exercise called “Mosi”, which translates to “smoke” in the local Tswana language, is scheduled for February 17 to 27, in the port cities of Durban and Richards Bay.
This will be the second exercise involving three naval forces, the South African National Defense Force said.
The first was held in November 2019 in Cape Town.
More than 350 South African army personnel will participate “together with their Russian and Chinese counterparts, with the aim of sharing operational skills and knowledge”, the army said.
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South Africa recently became the chair of BRICS, a group that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China to challenge the global governance structure led by the US and Europe.
A continental powerhouse, South Africa has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a war that has triggered sweeping Western sanctions.
‘Stupid exercise’ amid Russia-Ukraine war
The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party has blasted the “stupid” exercise being held at “an awkward time in global geopolitical history because of Russia’s war in Ukraine”.
The joint maneuver proved the government was “biased”, DA shadow defense minister Kobus Marais said.
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He added that “it is clear that the value for Russia to show its geopolitical influence in southern Africa is part of the global war game against NATO and the US”.