On Ukraine-Russia Trip, South African Leader’s Delegation Stuck at Polish Airport Over Arms Permits

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

In this photo provided by the South African Government Communications and Information Services (GCIS) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, left, and other delegates travel on a train towards Kyiv, from Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, June 15, 2023. Ramaphosa is taking part in the African Peace Mission aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. (South African Government Communication and Information Services via AP)

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A delegation of security officials, diplomats and journalists accompanying the South African president to Ukraine and Russia was stranded on a separately chartered plane at Warsaw’s airport for more than 24 hours. Polish authorities said on Friday that the problem was over permissions for firearms.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is among a group of African leaders visiting Kyiv and Moscow on a mission to encourage a resolution to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

According to the Poland Border Guard agency, Ramaphosa’s security detail did not have permission for the weapons they were carrying, which resulted in a standoff. The president’s office described the incident as “very unfortunate and deeply regrettable” but said his security was not compromised.

“Members of the delegation had weapons which they did not have permission to bring, but they could leave the plane themselves,” the Polish agency tweeted Friday.

“Our officials remain engaged with their Polish counterparts in trying to resolve the situation,” said Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesman.

Among the group was Maj. Gen. Wally Rhoode, the head of Ramaphosa’s personal protection unit, who claimed the delegation faced hostile treatment from Polish authorities, including one of their female colleagues who was strip searched.

Rhoode told journalists from the steps of the plane that Polish officials were being deliberately obstructive and had tried to “confiscate” firearms from them — even though the arms were being transported in secure cases in the plane’s cargo hold.

South African journalists who were stuck on the plane were tweeting that they were later told to disembark and proceed to customs.

It was unclear whether they would be allowed to proceed to Kyiv, where Ramaphosa and other African heads of state are expected to hold talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The incident sparked debate in South Africa, where many suggested the standoff was an indirect message to the country over its non-aligned stance on the war that has led to diplomatic tensions with the West.

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Associated Press writers Vanessa Gera in Warsaw and Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed to this story.