Musings From Abroad

South Africa’s arms control head, Gungubele denies arms sale to Russia

Published

1 year ago

July 2, 2023

South Africa’s Digital Communications Minister, who is also chairperson of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), Mondli Gungubele has confirmed that his country has not sanctioned sales of arms to Russia in the last three years.

“The South African Government responded that this was not the case, it emphasised that no arms, to the knowledge of the Control Authority of South Africa, were authorised for such a transaction/transfer.

“The NCACC, which is the Controlling Authority for Conventional Arms Control in South Africa, has not authorised any transfers to Russia since 2020, and this would rule out such transfers being authorised,” he said.

The revelation counters recent allegations by the United States through its ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety who said in May that the US was sure that contrary to its public claim of being non-aligned in the Russia/Ukraine crisis, South Africa supplied arms to Vladimir Putin’s army.

The South African government had set up a panel to investigate the claim, although its officials and the presidency have rejected the allegations.

“It is perhaps prudent that the investigation headed by the judge be granted [the freedom] to run its course in order to pronounce a competent outcome, which would settle the matter with an informed ruling,” Gungubele added.

Despite harsh criticism from the West, particularly the US, South Africa continues to be a major ally of Russia’s. Later this year, Putin is also expected to travel to the BRICS summit later in August, despite an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court on him.

Musings From Abroad

Swiss company Mercuria partners Zambia’s IDC in new metals trading firm

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by Swiss commodities trader, Mercuria, on Thursday, it has established a metals trading arm with Zambia, the second-largest producer of copper in Africa.

The trading unit is jointly owned by Mercuria and an arm of Zambia’s Industrial Development Company (IDC), and its purpose is to allow Zambia to engage directly in the minerals trading market.

The joint venture “envisages the establishment of a vehicle to market and trade Zambian copper by mutual leverage,” according to a statement from Cornwell Muleya, the CEO of IDC.

The southern African nation wants to increase copper output to roughly 3 million metric tonnes within the next ten years, and in 2023, it produced roughly 698,000 tonnes of copper, down from 763,000 metric tonnes the year before.

In June, the Zambian government announced that it would establish a minerals trading unit.

Investors including First Quantum Minerals and Barrick Gold are ramping up production, with output set to receive a further boost once Vedanta Resources’ Konkola Copper Mines restart activity.

“Our joint venture with IDC marks a significant milestone for Zambia as it positions itself more strategically in the global minerals market,” Kostas Bintas, Mercuria’s global head of metals and minerals, said in the statement.

Musings From Abroad

Blinken to reveal UN Sudan funding additions

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Additional financing for humanitarian aid to Sudan and initiatives to strengthen civil society in the nation, where a conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, will be announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the United Nations on Thursday.

Blinken will make many announcements when he leads a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan on Thursday, which will centre on humanitarian aid and civilian protection, Deputy U.S. Representative to the UN Ned Price told reporters on Wednesday.

According to Price, the announcements would include more money for humanitarian help, initiatives to strengthen civil society, and the return of democracy.

“Sudan, unfortunately, has risked becoming a forgotten conflict,” Price said.

“So part of the reason the secretary … opted to convene a signature event on this very topic is to make sure it remains in the spotlight,” Price said.

For almost 18 months, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Sudan’s army have been engaged in combat, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis that has forced over 12 million people from their homes and made it difficult for U.N. organisations to provide aid.

A power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces preceded a planned shift to civilian administration, which sparked the conflict in April 2023.

Although the army declined to join this year’s U.S.-mediated peace negotiations in Geneva, the warring parties did pledge to increase assistance access, which prevented any movement towards a ceasefire.

Price stated that before President Joe Biden’s term ends next month, the United States would keep collaborating with allies to enhance humanitarian access in Sudan and eventually end hostilities.

“We are going to leave nothing on the field in our efforts to work with allies, with partners, with the Sudanese stakeholders themselves, on the issues that matter most – humanitarian access, the provision of humanitarian assistance, ultimately, the process by which we can work to get to a cessation of hostilities, which is most urgently needed,” he said.