Wednesday, June 7, 2023

BRICS Summit May Move from South Africa to China to Avoid Putin Arrest

 The Daily Maverick published on 6 June 2023 an article titled "Cabinet to Consider Moving BRICS Summit to China" by Queenin Masuabi.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued in March a warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin, charging him with war crimes for alleged complicity in the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia and their deportation to Russia.  South Africa is signatory to the Rome Statute of the ICC and under obligation to arrest Putin should he visit there.  The BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in August.

Because of the dilemma this situation poses for South Africa, the government reportedly is giving consideration to co-hosting the BRICS summit with China in Beijing.  China is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the ICC.