SSouth Africa is planning joint naval exercises with Russia and China. The maneuver, called “Operation MOSI”, will take place from February 17 to 27 off the country’s east coast near the cities of Durban and Richards Bay, the Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday. It should serve to strengthen “the relationship that is already developing between South Africa, Russia and China”. So far, the government has stressed its neutrality in the Ukraine war and abstained from a UN vote on the matter.

south Africa belonging to the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The ruling party, the African National Congress, had close ties with the Soviet Union during the struggle against apartheid. The news comes just days before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due to travel to South Africa. This was his first visit since the start of the Russian invasion.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, condemned both receptions Lavrov’s as well as sharp military training. It is a “ridiculous” exercise “at an awkward moment in global geopolitical history.” South Africa was thus effectively on Russia’s side. Political analysts at the Brenthurst Foundation write that this shows how far the government has strayed from its Western allies.

This is the second joint exercise of the three navies, the statement said. The first took place in Cape Town in November 2019. All preparations for the new drills, which will be participated by 350 South African troops, have been completed.