SOUTH AFRICA: Military Links w/Russia Are Nothing New, But Could See US Backlash

Russian state-run TASS reporting that Russia and South Africa will look to deepen cooperation between their respective armed forces. It should be noted that the Russian and South African militaries working together is not necessarily a new development. In early-2023, the South African Navy joined in joint maritime exercises with the navies of Russia and China. 

• Then, in May 2023 chief of South Africa’s army, Lt. Gen. Lawrence Mbatha met with Gen. Oleg Salyukov, commander of Russia’s ground forces. Following that meeting, the Russian Defence Ministry said “The sides discussed issues of military cooperation and the implementation of projects geared to enhance the combat readiness of the two countries’ armies...The meeting between the military commanders yielded agreements on the further expansion of cooperation between the land forces in various areas.”
• As such, these headlines do not represent a notable shift in the South African government's stance or actions towards Russia vis-a-vis the military. However, they will further serve to reinforce the view in the US and other Western capitals that South Africa - despite its talk of non-alignment - is moving increasingly in line with Russia on major foreign policy and global security issues. This in turn could risk already-strained diplomatic relations becoming even worse.