Modise said the Anti-Russian Activities in Africa Act, which seeks to penalize any African company or individual doing business with Russia, should be rejected by African countries.
FILE: “We have national interests, we have regional interests, [so] we must make sure we stand where it counts,” Modise said. Image: @ParliamentofRSA/Twitter
JOHANNESBURG – Defense and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise has criticized the United States (US) for trying to intimidate African countries into not doing business with Russia.
Modise said the Anti-Russian Activities in Africa Act, which seeks to penalize any African company or individual doing business with Russia, should be rejected by African countries.
Russia is engaged in a nearly year-long invasion of Ukraine.
“We cannot be intimidated simply because we are a growing economy. We have national interests, we have regional interests, [so] We need to make sure we stand where it counts.”
Modise was presenting the resolutions of the ANC’s ruling peace and stability commission during its 55th national elective conference.
He also responded to criticism from the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, after he visited Russia in 2022 for an international security conference.
“We do not interfere in their relations with Mexico. We have our problems, we make our comments, but we cannot instruct a minister in another country.”
