Sticking to his guns: Outgoing US ambassador Reuben Brigety insists South Africa shipped arms to Russia

Outgoing United States Ambassador to South Africa Reuben E. Brigety II stands by his claims that South Africa sent weaponry to the Russian Federation.

Brigety, in an interview with Sunday Times said he stands by his allegation of Pretoria sending arms to Russia, despite results of an investigation which found no trace of weapons shipment to Moscow.

“When I was convoked by the foreign minister in May 2023 I apologised fully and unreservedly for speaking out of turn. Our governments have agreed that the substance of that matter will remain in official diplomatic channels,” the ambassador told the publication.

“This is a strategic relationship that has many aspects that both of us enjoy, and we look forward to continuing to work together.” 

However, he stated that his remarks stand.

“My statement stands as it is. In following my statement, the president of the US and the secretary of State expressed their full confidence in my tenure,” Brigety was quoted as saying.

IOL reported last month that the American ambassador to South Africa had announced his resignation. The resignation will be effective January 10, 2025.

The resignation kicked in as per the standard procedure during the change of presidential administration. United States citizens re-elected Donald Trump as their leader after elections last month, and Brigety had been assigned to Pretoria by outgoing US President Joe Biden.

Last year, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said South African government was following established diplomatic channels in seeking recourse after the major diplomatic storm sparked by Brigety’s assertions.

In his explosive 2023 claims, Brigety had told journalists that Pretoria had sold weapons to Russia, despite having taken a non-aligned stance on Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The South African government initiated a thorough investigation into the matter of weapons allegedly loaded onto the Russian cargo vessel Lady R in Cape Town.

The panel that investigated the matter concluded its work, and according to reports, the cargo loaded onto the Russian vessel was not weapons, as claimed by Brigety.

Following a social media furore and a demarche issued to Brigety by the Department of International Relations, the ambassador “apologised” for the misconceptions arising from his remarks.

IOL