The United States has officially withdrawn from the African Aerospace and Defense Expo (AAD), currently taking place at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in South Africa. Emma Powell, the DA’s Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, attributes the US’s withdrawal to the South African Department of Defence’s failure to confirm diplomatic immunity and privileges for the US delegation during their visit.

In an interview with National Security News, Powell described the delay in securing these essential guarantees for the US—an important trade and economic partner—as either a staggering display of incompetence or an act of sabotage. In stark contrast, she noted that Russia aircraft, despite its ongoing war in violation of international law, has been invited to showcase some of its aircraft at the expo.