After Accusing South Africa Of Sending Weapons To Russia, The US Ambassador Now Apologizes

The Russian army attended the Victory Day parade to commemorate 78 years of victory over Nazi Germany in World War 2, in Vladivostok, Russia (9/5/2023. (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - South Africa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DIRCO) summoned the United States Ambassador to the country,viso Brigey on Friday, May 12 for its controversial statement to reporters over the United States' belief that South Africa had supplied weapons to Russia.

After the summons, DIRCO said the US Ambassador had apologized to the South African government and people for his statement regarding the supply of weapons to Russia.

DIRCO also expressed the South African government's disapproval of the United States ambassador' behavior and statements accusing South Africa of selling weapons to Russia.

After meeting today, Ambassador totaling Brigety admitted that he had crossed the line and frankly apologized to the government and people of South Africa, "said DIRCO, Friday local time.

The South African Presidential Palace has expressed concern over the United States diplomat's statement and will conduct an independent investigation led by a retired judge to investigate the allegations.

Brigey previously revealed a Russian cargo ship called Lady R anchored at a naval base Simon's Town in Cape Town from 6-8 December 2022 had loaded weapons and ammunition on its return to Russia.

After being summoned and speaking with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, Brigadier admitted that he had caused misunderstandings in South Africa.

"I reiterate the strong partnership between our two countries and the important agenda our president has raised to us," he tweeted on Twitter quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, May 13.

DIRCO urged the United States Embassy in Pretoria to use existing diplomatic channels to express concerns or seek explanations for misunderstandings that may arise from relations between the two countries.

DIRCO said South Africa is known to the world for having one of the strictest processes when it comes to selling weapons to other countries.

"This process is managed by the National Weapons Supervision Commission (NCACC) which was formed under the Parliament Law, the National Conventional Arms Supervision Act Number 41 of 2002 ( NCAC Law), and the Constitution," concluded DIRCO.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also spoken with South African Foreign Ministers to emphasize the importance of strategic partnerships between the two countries.