South Africa opposition leader: I would arm Russia
Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters party says that Russia is 鈥渋n a war with imperialism鈥�
The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa鈥檚 third-largest political party, said he would 鈥渟upply weapons to Russia鈥� because Moscow is 鈥渋n a war with imperialism鈥�.
In an interview with the 蜜芽传媒 in Johannesburg, Julius Malema insisted that 鈥淪outh Africa is an ally of Russia鈥� and that the ANC government鈥檚 position of non-alignment only applied to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to HARDtalk鈥檚 Stephen Sackur, Mr Malema said: 鈥淚 will go beyond the friendship with Russia. In the war I will align with Russia and I will even supply the weapons鈥�.
The far-left Economic Freedom Fighters also wants South Africa to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes but Mr Malema has pledged to prevent any attempt to arrest the Russian president at next month鈥檚 Brics summit in Cape Town.
Mr Malema made the comments following a diplomatic row in which the US ambassador to South Africa alleged that weapons and ammunition were loaded onto a Russian vessel docked in the country. The South African government has denied approving any arms shipments to Russia. South Africa is due to hold elections next year.
