Ukraine Seeks Diplomatic Ties With South Africa

President Volodymyr Zelensky came to South Africa to strengthen diplomatic ties. The conversations with South African Cyril Ramaphosa ranged from trade and the situation in Eastern  Europe. The trip was cut short by news of bombings of the Ukrainian  capital of  Kyiv. The visit was really not about bilateral relations. It was President Zelensky's attempt to undermine Russia's diplomatic status with South Africa. The BRICS members do not favor sanctions  on Russia or the growing anti-Russian sentiment within the European Union. Attempts have been made for peace settlements or possible ceasefire. All have been rejected. South Africa hosting the Ukrainian president seems odd considering the past treatment of Africans residing in Ukraine. African students faced discriminatory treatment when fleeing Ukraine in 2022. Africans in Ukraine constantly face forms of prejudice and discrimination. Ukrainian forces are active in parts of Africa according to some reports. Ukraine has sent special forces to Sudan and Mali. The reason Ukraine did this was to undermine the Wagner Group and Russia diplomatic missions in Africa. These instances of interference demonstrate that Ukraine is not an ally of African nations. The 2023 African Union peace delegation to Ukraine was rebuffed and subject to harsh treatment. President Zelensky was demanding that European countries continue to support the war effort. Seeing as arms  are  dissipating Ukraine is looking elsewhere. South Africa is under no obligation to help Ukraine or any other European state. After the 2023 AU peace deal proposal, it is obvious Ukraine does not value African council. The Russia-Ukraine War does work to the benefit of Africa. If the European Union keeps funding the conflict it will weaken the UK, France, and Germany. This means Europe will no longer be able to militarily intervene in Africa. Chances of Ukrainian victory are narrow and South Africa has little to gain from a war torn nation.  

 

The Expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool and South Africa's Response

 

South African ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool was expelled from the United States. The reasons for the expulsion are motivated by economics, the intolerance of the Trump administration, and an attempt to undermine BRICS. There is speculation that Elon Musk is having indirect influence over US policy regarding South Africa. Musk an Afrikaner benefited from the Apartheid regime. The Trump administration has also offered white South Africans to come to America. These proposals are a projection of white nationalist sentiment. The attacks on South Africa are also intended to dissolve the BRICS alliance. Prior to the diplomatic dispute, President Donald Trump warned various nations about abandoning the US dollar. The emergent economies are going to see growth and this shifts the geopolitical power balance. The blatant racism was apparent seeing as it is rare this happens to a senior official. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was told he was no longer welcomed in the United States. When Rasool returned he was embraced by the South African Communist Party, ANC, and the South African public. The unprofessional conduct and discriminatory actions of the United States may have created more unity among South Africans. The government's response needs to be more forceful. Removal of US diplomats would be a proportional measure. If more criticisms about land reform come from the Trump administration, the ending of diplomatic ties should be considered. President Cyril Ramaphosa does have options, but if he does not act it will only harm South Africa's standing. Closing the embassy in the United States or imposing tariffs on American products are the more harsh  measures. South Africa could just request the US ambassador to leave. Regardless of what measure is taken, the expulsion of an ambassador for no reason demands retaliation.  

The 2024 BRICS Summit

 

BRICS met for its sixteenth summit in 2024. It was hosted in Kazan, Russia. BRICS is expanding with more nations seeking to join. The challenge is that there are some tensions between some members. Venezuela and Brazil are experiencing a decline in diplomatic  relations. Brazil vetoed Venezuela's entry into BRICS. President Lula Da Silva questioned Venezuela's election results and appears to be drifting further away from President Nicolas Maduro. China and India do have border disputes. The atmosphere was different. Global South nations are asserting their economic independence. Since 2009 BRICS was an informal association of emerging economies in Asia, South America, and Africa. Since then it has become an important factor in the world economy. Attempts made by NATO to isolate Russia internationally were not successful. Seeing as the Russian Federation faces hostility from the European Union, diplomatic ties are sought elsewhere. A growing movement has emerged for creating a new currency and replacing the dollar. African and Asian nations are going to be a great force in the 21st century. Natural resources and a new currency are methods of challenging the dominance of EU countries. More members can be an advantage, but it brings complications. Argentina was set to join, yet reversed it decision. The reason was the country elected a right-wing libertarian President Javier Milei. Saudi Arabia has not taken the offer to become a member. Being a member of BRICS remaining western aligned would be difficult. Most EU countries and the United States see BRICS as an adversary. BRICS could also shield against sanctions unfairly placed on countries from Europe and North America. The 2024 BRICS summit marks an important geopolitical shift.   

More Countries Want To Join BRICS

 

BRICS might be getting more members. A total of 30 countries are attempting to be part of the economic alliance. The development represents that the Global South is becoming more united in relation to economic matters. The details of which countries will get membership have not been disclosed. Much of the information related to possible members was from South African BRICS ambassador Anil Sookal. The countries that want to be part of the alliance include Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belarus, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, the UAE, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. The controversial additions would the Gulf monarchies and Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates tend to be in alignment with Europe and North America. Afghanistan remains under the control of the Taliban regime and tends to isolate itself from the wider world. Pakistan has serious tensions with India and Sudan has fallen into civil war. Countries that are unstable, have disputes with other members, or are too close to the West might bring complications to the economic alliance. The challenges could be negated by one currency among members and a series of diplomatic agreements. Many nations want to move away from the US dollar and challenge the US-EU led global economy. The addition of new members also the world is heading to a multipolar power system. At some point the world will not be influenced by a sole superpower. Developing countries could most likely benefit more from BRICS. The IMF and World Bank have failed to produced programs that create economic stability or industrialization. Leaders of BRICS will meet in Johannesburg , South Africa to discuss bring more countries into the alliance, trade, currency, and concerns related to the global economy.