Johannesburg: Egypt and Ethiopia join the BRICS

At the close of their 15ᵉ summit in Johannesburg (South Africa) on Thursday 24 August, Egypt and Ethiopia were added to the six new countries joining the BRICS. Comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the BRICS group has decided to strengthen cooperation on food security, both between its members and with other countries.

In addition, the group indirectly expressed its support for Russia by condemning the international sanctions imposed on it. These resolutions were adopted at the Johannesburg summit.

The BRICS also discussed the situation in Ukraine, underlining their appreciation for the African initiative to resolve the conflict. The group expanded to include six new members: Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. The DRC, represented by Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, attended the summit as a guest.

In favour of a multipolar world, the BRICS have argued in favour of UN reform, calling for greater representation of developing countries on the UN Security Council.

With regard to global conflicts, this political and economic group is committed to the peaceful resolution of the crises in Niger, Libya and Sudan, based on mediation by the UN and the African Union.

They also support the aspirations of Brazil, India and South Africa to play a more influential role on the UN Security Council, and they oppose trade barriers, including those imposed by developed countries under the guise of combating climate change.

Finally, the BRICS leaders expressed their support for the use of national currencies in international trade and financial transactions between member countries.

It should be noted that at this summit, the BRICS countries did not take the decision to create a single currency, an expected measure to counter the hegemony of the dollar.