‘s Afrikan correspondent lists six interesting questions about President Niinistö’s visits to South Africa and Namibia.
The president of the Republic Sauli Niinistö begins an official state visit to South Africa today.
In a meeting with the president of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa with the focus is on Russia, its attack on Ukraine and its growing influence in Africa.
1. Why is Niinistö going to South Africa right now?
In his opening speech to the Parliament, President Niinistö referred to the cold winds blowing in world politics and the global power struggle taking place on all continents, including Africa.
Russia and China are challenging Western countries, and according to Sauli Niinistö, Finnish diplomacy is also needed in this situation. Niinistö said that “we also need to talk to those, perhaps above all, those who see the world differently than we do.”
2. What is the relationship between South Africa and Russia?
The Soviet Union strongly supported South Africa’s liberation movement, the ANC, in its struggle against the apartheid regime. The ANC still rules the country with a simple majority and Vladimir Putin Russia gets to enjoy the good reputation of the Soviet Union.
South Africa belongs to BRICS, an organization of developing economies, together with Russia, China, Brazil and India. At the time of the anniversary of the war in Ukraine, South Africa was conducting a major naval exercise with Russia and China.
3. Will Putin’s handover to the International Criminal Court come up in the discussions?
The International Criminal Court ICC has issued an arrest warrant for the President of Russia. Putin is suspected of the illegal forced transfers of children in Ukraine.
South Africa is a member of the ICC and should in principle arrest President Putin if he arrives in August for the BRICS meeting in South Africa.
It is not known whether Putin’s arrest warrant will be discussed in the discussions during Niinistö’s visit.
4. How has South Africa voted in the UN Ukraine votes?
In all three votes (condemnation of the Russian attack, expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Commission, condemnation of regional alliances made by Russia) South Africa has voted no.
The line chosen by South Africa is by no means special, as about half of Africa’s 54 states have so far refrained from condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
5. Will Niinistö be able to change Ramaphosa’s thinking regarding the war in Ukraine?
African state leaders are very tired of the fact that representatives of Western countries come to tell them how to act, for example, regarding corruption, human rights, environmental protection or the war in Ukraine.
Niinistö’s expectations are presumably realistic. This is what he said in his opening speech to the Diet: “Finland has a believable story to tell. It doesn’t necessarily turn the heads of those bigger than us, but it’s worth hearing”.
6. What else is included in Niinistö’s visit?
Today and tomorrow, Sauli Niinistö will meet South African leaders. He will spend Thursday and Friday in neighboring Namibia, where he will meet the president Hage Geingob and the prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhilan.
During the trip, we talk not only about geopolitics, but also about climate change and world food security. Niinistö’s visit will also include a ten-member business delegation from Finland, including Metso Outotec, Nokia and Wärtsilä representatives.
You can discuss the topic on Wed 26.4. until 11 p.m.