U.S. Says South Africa Supplied Weapons, Ammunition to Russia

The US accuses South Africa of supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia with the help of a Russian cargo ship that docked at the country's largest naval base, putting Johannesburg at risk of sanctions. The relationship between the US and South Africa is further complicated as South Africa's govern

May 11, 2023 . 9:40 PM

1 min read

U.S. ambassador to South Africa accuses South Africa of supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia with the help of a Russian cargo ship that docked at the country's largest naval base in December.
The alleged supply of potential war materials to Russia puts Johannesburg at risk of sanctions.
South Africa's government will launch an inquiry into the matter, led by a retired judge, but adds that the U.S. had provided no evidence for its ambassador's allegations.
The U.S. had already sanctioned the Lady R and its owner, MG-FLOT, based in Dagestan, Russia, in May 2022 for allegedly carrying weapons on behalf of Moscow.
The relationship between the U.S. and South Africa is further complicated as the U.S. and its Western allies will have to decide whether to place sanctions on South African officials and entities involved in the alleged supply of potential war materials to Russia and risk alienating Africa's most developed economy and one of its most established democracies.