Unable to ignore event. the fifteenth summit Brick displayed at the Johannesburg airport and on the streets of the city with a catchphrase of a program that evokes both Brics and theAfricaaccelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism.
Beyond this formulation, there are general claims in Brazilto Russia, toIndiato China and itsouth Africa, whose name is an acronym for Brics: all of these countries challenge the political and economic order dominated by the West. This does not mean that the five countries agree on everything, in particular about its possible expansionthat will be discussed at this summit, reported our special envoy in Johannesburg, Nicolas Falez.
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China is asserting its influence
The participants will discuss all of that here for three days, with bilateral series in parallel. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will receive Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two men will then go in search of leaders of other BRICS member states but this meeting will be marked by the absence of one person: Vladimir Poutine. The President of Russia will speak via video conference.
He did not travel to Johannesburg because he risked being arrested due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court after the war he waged in Ukraine. However, there have been efforts to seek support from Russia, which wants to show that the country is not isolated. Neither country of the Brics condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
And through the Brics, China is also asserting its influence. In his stiff competition with the United States, Xi Jinping can demonstrate his ties to his BRICS partners, as well as to the dozens of countries looking to join the group.
For India, this meeting perfectly illustrates their “multi-alignment” policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strengthened India’s ties with the United States and France during his recent visits. Here he is this week in Johannesburg as the so-called “Global South”.
A promise for the continent
Then there is South Africa, which is hosting this summit, which is also seeking to expand its influence. The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, wants to make this moment a meeting of all continents by inviting dozens of African countries.
As for the African participants in the summit, Cyril Ramaphosa announced that 30 leaders were expected, without disclosing the list. One thing is certain: Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Cameroon have not yet sent their presidents to the scene of the incident, reports our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargeles.
After discussions this Tuesday, August 22 around the intra-Brics trade relationship, the four leaders of the group will retire to a luxury venue in the city, to meet behind closed doors. Most of the meetings will be held on Wednesdays, with one of the issues to be discussed being the question of expansion.
Also readAFRICAN ECONOMY – The thorny question of expanding the territory of the Brics
As for Brazil, they want to see a Brics currency materialized, which would allow developing countries to detach from the dollar. Brazilian President Lula also campaigned for reform of the UN Security Council.
Absence of Emmanuel Macron, Setback of French President’s Diplomatic Strategy?
Emmanuel Macron has expressed interest in the Brics summit but the French president will not attend. Is this a setback for those who call for the renovation of multilateralism and attempts to mediate between the countries of the North and countries of the South? The participation hypothesis, launched by France, remained in place for some time – in particular at the new financial pact summit meeting in Paris in June – in which South African President Ramaphosa took part.
But in the end, the South African side did not follow through on the president’s wish. The host country’s foreign minister explained that no invitation had yet been sent to the French head of state. However, Emmanuel Macron wants to participate in debates with the leaders of developing countries with whom he wants to make diplomatic and economic partners.
But Russia is also responsible for the war in Ukraine which has hampered Emmanuel Macron’s presence. Finally, the French side stated that they understood that the format of this year’s Brics Summit prioritized dialogue with Southern countries, and especially African countries, and therefore did not necessarily provide room for the participation of the President of the Republic. A way to note rejection without belittling it.
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