Arresting Putin During South African Visit Would Equate to War Declaration, Asserts President Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern warning, stating that any move to detain Russian President Vladimir Putin during his forthcoming visit to South Africa could potentially ignite a war with Russia.

Ramaphosa's caution comes in the wake of Putin's anticipated attendance at an international gathering scheduled in Johannesburg, in the upcoming weeks. With the International Criminal Court (ICC) having an arrest warrant out for Putin, leaving Russian territory could place him within the jurisdiction of potential arrest.

South Africa, as a signatory to the ICC, is theoretically obliged to assist in executing the warrant. However, it has a history of ignoring such responsibilities, a case in point being the safe harbor provided to Sudan's former president, Omar al-Bashir, in 2015. Bashir, who was wanted for committing war crimes against his people, was permitted safe passage, an action that triggered international controversy.

The Russian President is due to visit South Africa in August as part of a summit for the BRICS nations - the collective term for the rapidly developing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This bloc is increasingly perceived as a counterweight to the G7 group of advanced economies.

The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's most formidable opposition party, is legally challenging the authorities to enforce the ICC warrant and arrest Putin upon his arrival. However, court files indicate President Ramaphosa is staunchly opposed to this course of action, emphasizing the potential implications for national security.

"Enacting an arrest on President Putin would be tantamount to a declaration of war by Russia," Ramaphosa noted in an official statement. "It is against our constitutional principles to risk instigating a war with Russia."

Adding complexity to the issue, Ramaphosa disclosed that South Africa, along with several other African nations, are engaging in negotiations with Russia and Ukraine with the intent of fostering peace. Any attempts to arrest Putin, he argued, could undermine these efforts.

Analysts suggest various motives behind the reluctance to enforce the arrest, from South Africa's historical anti-apartheid alliance with the Soviet Union, to Mali's current dependency on Russian Wagner mercenaries for combating jihadist threats.

The economic dynamics between Russia and African nations also play a crucial role, especially within South Africa. Allegedly, one of the major financial contributors to the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, is Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian oligarch under sanctions.