"South Africa’s entrance to BRICS was
purely for economic purposes and not to challenge or undermine the
international rules-based order through blatant and weaponised
antagonism brought about by rogue-aligned military exercises.
While the government insists it is neutral, defense cooperation with democratic partners is falling apart. Joint exercises with the United States have been cancelled, U.S. participation in AAD has failed, and trust is being damaged. . ." South Africa’s defense and foreign policy must be transparent, constitutional, and principled and certainly not being quietly reshaped through military exercises that contradict our stated neutrality and damage our standing in the world. . ."
Information released by the South African Government on 30 December 2025 confirms that South Africa is hosting Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 from 9 to 16 January in its territorial waters under a China-led multinational framework.
Officially framed around “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities,” the drill is presented as a maritime security and interoperability exercise.
However, the choice of participants, the composition of the deployed naval assets, and the geographic setting around the Cape sea lane collectively elevate the exercise from a technical training event to a deliberate geopolitical and strategic message with implications well beyond Southern African waters.
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| South Africa is hosting a China-led multinational naval drill with Russia and Iran near the strategic Cape sea lanes, underscoring growing maritime cooperation along a critical global trade route (Picture Source: Social Media / Reuters) |
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