Pretoria, South Africa – (African Boulevard News) – The upcoming BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit is set to take place in South Africa, however, this year’s meeting is shrouded in political controversy. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, is casting a shadow over the summit, with increasing concerns around his involvement in election meddling.
The Russian and Chinese foreign ministers are expected to arrive in Cape Town on Thursday for the meeting, ahead of the larger summit of developing nations. The BRICS bloc represents around 40% of the world’s population and accounts for 23% of global GDP.
However, this year’s summit differs from its predecessors as the leaders are likely to face scrutiny over Russia’s involvement in election meddling, following the controversy of the 2016 US Presidential Elections. Although the issue is primarily centred around the United States, it is a matter of global concern.
South African political analyst, Mmakgosi Tau, commented that “The Russia issue looms large over the upcoming summit. The recent US elections have raised concerns among BRICS members, particularly South Africa in light of the country’s own 2019 elections. There are fears that Putin may interfere in the elections in some form.”
The South African government has been tight-lipped regarding the issue, but several sources indicate that the government will address the issue privately with Putin. They also hope to clarify their stance on Russia and assure their citizens that the country’s democratic process will not be compromised.
Despite the concerns, experts are optimistic about the summit, and expect it to strengthen ties between the BRICS countries, particularly in the economic sector. “Although there are concerns about Putin’s involvement, the summit itself is an opportunity for the countries to engage with each other and establish deeper trade relations,” said business analyst, Sipho Sibanda.
In conclusion, the upcoming BRICS summit is set to be a significant event in South Africa’s political and economic calendar. However, it is clear that Putin’s shadow looms over the summit, and while it is unlikely to overshadow the event, it is a matter that cannot be ignored.
