If China and Russia were rather favorable to the enlargement of the BRICS group, India, Brazil, and South Africa are on the other hand less enthusiastic about the idea of an expansion; for fear of a dilution of their influence. The question must be decided at the Johannesburg Summit, which is being held from August 22 to 24.
Opening this Tuesday, August 22 in Johannesburg, South Africa, of the 15th Summit of member countries of the BRICS group. Namely, an informal grouping of major emerging markets and developing countries. All of these countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, represent approximately 42% of the planet’s population (3.2 billion people), 30% of the territory of the Earth, and accounts for 27% of world GDP and 20% of international trade. This shows the importance of the event.
23 candidate countries
“We have received formal expressions of interest from leaders of 23 countries to join BRICS and many more informal approaches to BRICS membership opportunities. These are Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, the State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, and Viet Nam”. This was stated in a press briefing by the South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor.
Putin’s Absence
Placed on the theme of “Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism”, the two-day summit is enhanced by the presence of Chinese President Xi Jingping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Prime Indian Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The master of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, will be conspicuous by his absence. He was unable to travel to South Africa, since he is the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine. Small consolation: he will deliver a speech via video link.
Thus, during this Summit, which is being held for the first time in Africa, the leaders of the member countries of the BRICS will essentially have to address the thorny question of the enlargement of the group. Knowing that, from its formation in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, it expanded to South Africa the following year. Since then, no new member has been welcomed.
Divergent interests
It is that China and Russia are favorable to the integration of new members to the group created essentially on the one hand, to claim a multipolar world economic and political balance; on the other hand, to constitute a counterweight to Western influence. While India, Brazil and South Africa, less enthusiastic about the idea of expanding and diluting their influence, oppose any “hasty” enlargement.
Officially, Brasília and New Delhi wish to welcome new countries as “observers” or “partners”. And this, before their admission as full members in a second stage.
Thus, India has floated the idea that BRICS member countries should look to democracies such as Argentina and Nigeria if they wish to expand the bloc. Rather than to Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest oil producer, whose regime is described as “dynastic and autocratic”.
For his part, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared that his country is in favor of the accession of new members “who would fulfill the requirements that we are going to discuss in Johannesburg”. A way of kicking into touch, the leftist leader has never been in favor of a “Brics more” which would dilute the influence of his country.
There remains South Africa, which holds the rotating presidency of the Summit, whose position on this subject is not lacking in ambiguity. Indeed, the South African president says he supports the enlargement of the composition of the BRICS to countries “which share the common desire to have a more balanced world order”. Thus, for Pretoria, the five countries will first have to agree on the criteria that the new members must meet.
One foot in, one foot out
And what about Tunisia’s membership in the BRICS group even as an “observer” country? The Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Saïed, indicated during a plenary session at the Assembly on July 29 that “the volume of the Tunisian economy does not allow it to join the BRICS group”. While emphasizing on the occasion that “the geographical position” of Tunisia requires rather distinguished relations with Europe, the EU, and Africa.
That said, the President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, raised the subject. And this by welcoming to the palace of Carthage, Friday August 18, 2023, the head of Tunisian diplomacy, Nabil Ammar. The latter had come to inform him of “Tunisia’s participation in the meeting to be held at the end of August in South Africa and which will bring together the leaders of the BRICS member states, with a certain number of partner countries”. Says a press release from the Presidency of the Republic.
At what level and in what capacity? Knowing that Tunisia is not officially a candidate for membership of the BRICS group. Unless by a clever maneuver, the Head of State whispers in the ears of the financial institutions of Bretton Woods as well as to our European partners that Tunisia is in a position to take off. Can she afford it?
