BRICS naval drills deemed ‘essential’ by South Africa amid rising maritime tensions |
South Africa has defended its decision to conduct joint naval exercises with fellow BRICS members Russia, China, and Iran, describing the drills as an essential step to ensure maritime security at a time of growing tensions on the world’s oceans. The multinational naval exercises, dubbed “Will for Peace 2026,” commenced off the coast of Cape Town on January 10 and are scheduled to conclude on January 16.
The drills have drawn international attention due to their timing, coming shortly after a series of high-profile actions by the United States Navy in the Caribbean. Earlier this month, US forces seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, claiming it had violated Washington’s sanctions regime against Venezuela. The incident was followed by the capture of five additional tankers as part of what the US government has described as a naval blockade aimed at curbing Venezuelan oil exports.
Against this backdrop, South Africa’s Deputy Defense Minister Bantu Holomisa stressed that the exercises were not a reaction to recent US actions, but rather part of long-term planning among BRICS nations. Speaking on Friday, Holomisa said the drills had been arranged months in advance and should not be interpreted as a political or military provocation.
“Let us not press panic buttons because the US has got a problem with countries,” Holomisa said. “Those are not our enemies.” He emphasized that South Africa’s primary concern is safeguarding vital sea lanes and promoting cooperation among partner nations.
According to South African officials, the primary objective of the Will for Peace 2026 exercises is to........