South African govt. knocked over military drill with Russia

South African government has attracted condemnation for holding joint navy exercise with Russia.

The exercise is happening after the government allowed a Russian oligarch to dock his superyacht at Cape Town, despite protestation from the town’s mayor.

The latest criticism of the navy exercise comes from the country’s main opposition – the DA party.

The party described the government’s decision as “tone deaf” and a “terrible error of judgement”.

Russia has been facing sanctions by a number of world powers for attacking Ukraine. Despite the avalanche of criticisms against its action by majority of the countries around the globe, Russia has chummy relationship with few African countries including South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The pro-Russian African countries had abstained from a UN security council resolution condemning the invasion.

The first military exercise between South Africa and Russia was reportedly in November 2019.