South Africa-US Diplomatic Tensions Rise Over Alleged Arms Shipment to Russia

South Africa's foreign ministry expressed "utter displeasure" at US Ambassador Reuben Brigety's allegations that the country had supplied Russia with weapons for its war against Ukraine. Brigety's comments were called "puzzling" and "fundamentally unacceptable" by the ministry, which did not directly deny the claim. South Africa's own arms control laws prohibit trading with states engaged in repression, aggression or terrorism. The country abstained from condemning the Russian invasion in a UN vote last year and has taken a neutral stance on the war.