South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa says the country will not be forced to support any global powers.
The president vowed as he prepared to host the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg this week.
The meeting of major emerging economies (BRICS nations), Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will seek to widen their influence and push for a shift in global geopolitics.
Mr Ramaphosa in a televised state-of-the-nation address on Sunday said some “detractors prefer overt support for their political and ideological choices”.
“We will not be drawn into a contest between global powers,” he stated.
Mr Ramaphosa will be joined at the BRICS summit by China’s President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, with President Vladimir Putin participating virtually.
Mr Ramaphosa’s latest remarks are being widely seen as a veiled attack on the West, some of whose leaders have criticised South Africa for failing to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and more broadly, accusing the ANC-led government in Pretoria of aligning with Moscow in its struggle against the West.
At least 40 countries have so far shown interest in becoming members of BRICS, with 23 having submitted their applications.
South Africa supports calls to open up membership of the economic grouping.
FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule
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