The 2024 BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24, will unfold against the backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions, according to this analysis by Ralph Mathekga.
The conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are expected to dominate discussions as member nations assess the future of the alliance and their roles within it. At the 2023 BRICS summit, the founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—welcomed new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia.
South Africa’s position within BRICS has drawn mixed reactions from the international community, with concerns about its close ties to authoritarian members like Russia, China, and now Iran.
Pretoria’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has intensified scrutiny on its relationship with Moscow. Both U.S. diplomats and South African civil society have criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration for maintaining a “non-aligned” stance, despite the growing unease. In contrast, the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition party, visited Kyiv to show solidarity with Ukraine, underscoring differences in approach.
