https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240501/south-african-electoral-commission-explains-purpose-of-meeting-with-us-ambassador-ahead-of-1066320960.html
South African Electoral Commission Explains Purpose of Meeting With US Ambassador Ahead of Elections
South African Electoral Commission Explains Purpose of Meeting With US Ambassador Ahead of Elections
Sputnik Africa
South Africa's electoral body has come under scrutiny, according to local media reports, after it emerged that some of its members met with the US ambassador... 01.05.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-05-01T18:16+0200
2024-05-01T18:16+0200
2024-05-01T18:16+0200
sub-saharan africa
united states (us)
south africa
cyril ramaphosa
european union (eu)
politics
southern africa
presidential election
elections
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The chief electoral officer of the South African Electoral Commission (IEC), Sy Mamabolo, described the meeting of several of his commissioners with US Ambassador Reuben Brigety on Monday, a month before the start of national elections, as "part of the commission's stakeholder engagements."He added that it is important to take diplomats into their confidence about the country’s readiness for the May elections.Similarly, the commissioners met with a group of European and Caribbean ambassadors, and similar interactions will be held with African ambassadors, Mamabolo said.South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela also noted that there was nothing sinister about the commissioners' meeting with the US ambassador ahead of the elections.Mamabolo added that the US delegation "has a lot of confidence" in the IEC and won’t be sending any observer groups.South Africa's general election will be held on May 29, and the outcome will determine not only the composition of the lower house and government, but also the nation's president.Scandal Around BrigetyUS Ambassador Brigety's name was linked to a diplomatic scandal last year involving both South Africa and Russia.Last May, he claimed that a Russian vessel Lady R that docked in the South African Simon's Town naval base in December 2022 collected armaments from South Africa for further delivery to Russia.From the very outset, South Africa has denied its involvement in arms deliveries to Russia. On May 11, in response to Brigety's accusations, the South African Foreign Ministry sent an official protest to the diplomatic body. Following the protest, the ambassador admitted that he had crossed the line and apologized.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov then advised the ambassador to "know your place and stay out of other nations' business," noting that Moscow has never violated international norms.Last September, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the independent panel of experts has not found any proof that armaments were loaded aboard the vessel, and the ship was delivering equipment to the South African National Defense Force.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240429/south-africa-bolsters-security-ahead-of-may-29-elections-1066288517.html
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South African Electoral Commission Explains Purpose of Meeting With US Ambassador Ahead of Elections
South Africa's electoral body has come under scrutiny, according to local media reports, after it emerged that some of its members met with the US ambassador earlier this week, raising suspicions that the US may be influencing the outcome of the elections.
The chief electoral officer of the South African Electoral Commission (IEC), Sy Mamabolo, described the meeting of several of his commissioners with US Ambassador Reuben Brigety on Monday, a month before the start of national elections, as "part of the commission's stakeholder engagements."
He added that it is important to take diplomats into their confidence about
the country’s readiness for the May elections.
Similarly, the commissioners met with a group of European and Caribbean ambassadors, and similar interactions will be held with African ambassadors, Mamabolo said.
South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela also noted that there was nothing sinister about the commissioners' meeting with the US ambassador ahead of the elections.
"It is normal for IEC to meet with diplomats. They have already engaged EU diplomats & will meet the Dean of African Diplomats. [...] Throw the conspiracy theories away!" he wrote on X.
Mamabolo added that the US delegation "has a lot of confidence" in the IEC and won’t be sending any observer groups.
South Africa's general election
will be held on May 29, and the outcome will determine not only the composition of the lower house and government, but also the nation's president.
US Ambassador Brigety's name was linked to a diplomatic scandal last year involving both South Africa and Russia.
Last May, he claimed that a Russian vessel Lady R that docked in the South African Simon's Town naval base in December 2022 collected armaments from South Africa for further delivery to Russia.
From the very outset, South Africa has denied its involvement in arms deliveries to Russia. On May 11, in response to Brigety's accusations, the South African Foreign Ministry sent an official protest to the diplomatic body. Following the protest, the ambassador
admitted that he had crossed the line and apologized.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov then advised the ambassador to "know your place and stay out of other nations' business," noting that Moscow has never violated international norms.
Last September, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the independent panel of experts has not found any proof that armaments were loaded aboard the vessel, and the ship was delivering equipment to the South African National Defense Force.
