In an effort to mend strained relations, the South African government and the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben E. Brigety, have expressed their mutual desire to move forward and uphold the strategic importance of their bilateral relationship. Recognizing the significance of their alliance, both parties are committed to resolving the recent controversy.
During the meeting between South African officials and Ambassador Brigety, it was reiterated that the government’s National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) had officially stated that no arms sales to Russia had been approved pertaining to the specific period or incident in question. Therefore, any assertion that South Africa sold arms to Russia or is arming the country is factually incorrect.
In an attempt to address the issue directly, Ambassador Brigety was invited to provide any evidence upon which his public pronouncements were based. However, no such evidence has been submitted thus far. The upcoming independent inquiry will offer another platform to assess any additional information that may be presented.
It was acknowledged that established diplomatic protocols and channels were not followed in the initial handling of this matter. Both parties emphasised the importance of adhering to these established procedures in order to maintain effective communication and prevent misunderstandings in the future.
In a display of goodwill, Ambassador Brigety offered an unreserved apology during the meeting. However, the language used in his subsequent tweet regarding the apology has caused some confusion. To clarify any ambiguity, South African officials informed the ambassador’s office that they would tweet and tag him as a confirmation of the apology, a gesture of diplomatic courtesy.
The apology extended by Ambassador Brigety is now on the record and not subject to dispute. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work collaboratively and build upon the existing cordial, strong, and mutually beneficial relations between South Africa and the United States.
This conciliatory approach by both the South African government and the US ambassador signals their shared commitment to resolve the matter, move past the recent controversy, and focus on fostering cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. The strategic importance of their relationship remains paramount, and both parties are dedicated to ensuring its continued growth and success.
