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South Africa may leave BRICS if opposition candidate wins presidential vote — envoy

According to Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka, the reason is that a number of opposition parties in South Africa are hostile towards Russia, which is a thing for Moscow to analyze

MOSCOW, February 27. /TASS/. South Africa may change its foreign policy and pull out of BRICS if the opposition comes to power following elections, South African Ambassador to Russia Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka said in an interview with TASS.

"If the official opposition wins the elections, there will be changes in South Africa's foreign policy stance. Chances are that, if that happens, South Africa will be pulled out of BRICS like Argentina," he pointed out when asked how the outcome of South Africa’s upcoming elections could impact its political and economic partnership with Russia.

According to the envoy, the reason is that a number of opposition parties in South Africa are hostile towards Russia, which is a thing for Moscow to analyze.

"If the ruling party, that is the African National Congress, wins the elections, there will be no changes, that I can assure you. But if one of the opposition parties takes over, I cannot guarantee anything," the diplomat noted. "The main opposition party, which is the Democratic Alliance, if it can win the elections, I think the tables will change. That's the reality. Because the main opposition party is not a friend to Russia," he concluded.

Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country would hold its general election on May 29, 2024. In South Africa, the leader of the party winning the general election becomes the country’s president. The ruling party has approved Ramaphosa as its presidential candidate.

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South Africa BRICS

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