Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The announcement that South Africa will chair an extraordinary virtual meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to discuss the situation in Gaza and the Middle East is significant. The meeting, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, will be led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently chairs the BRICS group of nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to participate, along with the heads of state from the other BRICS countries. Additionally, leaders from countries invited during the recent BRICS summit in Johannesburg, such as Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, will also join the virtual meeting.
President Ramaphosa, who recently called for an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip, will open the meeting. Each participating country will have the opportunity to address the situation, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is slated to participate as well.
Following the discussions, the leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration on the situation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Gaza. South Africa’s decision to recall its diplomats from Israel for consultations in early November reflects its strong stance on the matter, condemning what it perceives as atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza.
South Africa has historically been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, drawing parallels between the struggle against apartheid and the Palestinian struggle. The BRICS meeting indeed serves as a platform for member nations to collectively address and respond to various global issues, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The collaborative discussions among Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa allow for coordinated efforts and perspectives on matters of global significance. It reflects the importance of diplomatic dialogue and cooperation among these diverse nations in navigating complex geopolitical challenges.
