On Thursday, the chief diplomat responsible for South Africa’s relations with the BRICS group of nations revealed that over 40 countries have displayed keen interest in becoming part of this prominent bloc. The BRICS alliance, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has garnered significant attention from countries around the world, signifying its growing influence on the global stage.
During a press briefing in Johannesburg, Anil Sooklal, a prominent South African diplomat overseeing relations with other nations, along with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, addressed journalists. The briefing took place one day after South Africa confirmed the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming BRICS summit scheduled for August 22-24. This development has sparked considerable interest and discussions among media representatives and observers, highlighting the significance of the annual BRICS gathering.
At the summit of nations centered around Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), a critical matter on the agenda is the extent and pace of the group’s expansion. This expansion aims to counterbalance the perceived hegemony of the U.S.-led Western powers in global affairs. The question of how far and how quickly to broaden the club’s membership takes precedence as these nations convene to strengthen their collective influence and voice on the international stage, presenting an alternative perspective to the prevailing Western dominance in global matters.
In addition to the 22 countries that have formally submitted requests to join, Anil Sooklal mentioned that an equivalent number of nations have informally expressed their interest in becoming BRICS members. Notably, this informal interest includes all the significant countries in the global south. The growing attraction towards BRICS membership underscores the bloc’s increasing influence and appeal among nations seeking a stronger presence and representation in international affairs, particularly in countering the dominance of traditional Western powers.
South African officials envision BRICS as a stalwart champion of the developing world, embodying the collective interests and aspirations of emerging nations. This vision has resonated with various countries, as Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan have all formally expressed their interest in joining the esteemed BRICS group. Their keenness to be part of BRICS demonstrates the bloc’s growing significance and appeal as a platform for fostering collaboration and representation among developing nations on the global stage.
When tasked with hosting the summit, South Africa encountered a challenging dilemma. Being a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the country was bound by an ICC-issued warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, dating back to March. The warrant was in response to allegations of war crimes attributed to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, which President Putin vehemently refuted. Consequently, if President Putin had attended the summit on South African soil, the nation would have been obligated to fulfill its ICC responsibilities, raising the possibility of his arrest and navigating a sensitive diplomatic situation amidst the backdrop of contentious accusations and denials.