South Africa has declared diplomatic immunity for foreign officials attending the BRICS summit in august, which potentially open door for the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Foreign Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said the immunity also applies to officials attending the brics Foreign Ministers’ meeting starting on Thursday in South Africa.
The notice comes amid pressure on the South African government to make a decision on the attendance of Putin, who is wanted by the international criminal court for war crimes allegedly committed during his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the South African Defence Force (SANDF) said it would not arrest Putin if he attends the BRICS summit, as it did not have the power to enforce the arrest.
