The African National Congress (ANC), which currently holds power in South Africa, has formally advocated for the country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), as stated by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March on war crimes charges.
The warrant has disrupted Pretoria’s plans to host a Brics summit in August, which includes Russia. Since South Africa is a member of the ICC, it is expected to arrest the Russian president upon his arrival in the country.
Ramaphosa told a press conference after a visit by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö that the ANC has made up its mind on the matter and believes it is prudent for South Africa to withdraw from the ICC.
South Africa has refused to condemn Moscow since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, claiming to take a neutral position.
South Africa had already sought to withdraw from the ICC in 2016 after a visit by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who was also the subject of an ICC arrest warrant.