Ramaphosa, BRICS and Will for Peace: Naval Power at the Fault Line of Sovereignty

Geopolitical writer Gillian Schutte argues that South Africa’s decision to host the naval exercise Will for Peace signals a deliberate commitment to BRICS alignment under Western pressure. She examines how the exercise reflects President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attempt to balance sovereignty with economic dependence. The article traces the domestic backlash led by the Democratic Alliance and the emergence of Ukrainian-aligned activism around the exercise. Schutte situates these tensions within a wider struggle over maritime power and political influence. She asks whether BRICS can survive sustained pressure when some members retreat as soon as the United States asserts authority.