The murderous and destructive Russian war against a sovereign Ukraine is a crime against humanity, as apartheid was. Yet, and shamefully so, the South African government treats Russia as a victim of Western demonisation.
In terms of being definable as “crimes against humanity”, apartheid, the Holocaust and Russia’s war against Ukraine are probably bedfellows.
South Africa counted among the abstentions, causing great national as well as international concern and disappointment.
Predictably, Kremlin propaganda will respond with its usual strong denials. It consistently regards attacks on human rights abuses as part of a Western conspiracy, blandly denying being guilty of starting this brutal war. South Africa has become a prime target in this stampede, as demonstrated by recent high-level visits to South Africa by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, followed up by visits by the EU Commissioner Josep Borrell and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.So, it’s back to Cold War stuff, buying off potential backers for ideological and diplomatic support.
Biden should have realised that he was flogging a dead horse: South Africa’s vaunted international moral force departed with Nelson Mandela. Since then it has cosied up to dictatorships of the ilk of Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Cuba, Venezuela, and most noticeably China and Russia. Indeed, South Africa must be free to have relations with anyone it chooses. But in a world of interdependence, actions have consequences. Affording succour to a criminal Kremlin government is indeed a crime in itself, crossing a red line which the world’s civilised nations should oppose in every way.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UN chief condemns Russian 'affront' in Ukraine as assembly meetsUN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine 'a grim milestone for the people of Ukraine and for the international community.'
Read more »
'No hidden idea here': Russian Navy defends joint military exercise with South Africa and ChinaRussian Federation Navy detachment ship commander Capt Oleg Gladkiy has lashed out at criticism of Russia's joint military exercise with China and South Africa.
Read more »
Ukraine unveils banknote for anniversary of Russian invasion | News24KYIV, Feb 23 - Ukraine's central bank unveiled a commemorative banknote on Thursday to mark the first anniversary of Russia's invasion, with one side depicting three soldiers raising the national flag. The other side of the 20-hryvnia ($0.54) note f
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine: Why South Africa will not jump into bed with the WestRussia-Ukraine: Why South Africa will not jump into bed with the West: Anyone still waiting for Pretoria to launch a social media projectile at Moscow is sorely disillusioned
Read more »
South Africa: Security Must Be Part of South Africa's Energy Rescue PlanAnalysis - A successful energy mix requires not just technology and finance but heightened security around energy infrastructure, especially nuclear.
Read more »