Johannesburg, EVN (August 24) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed on Thursday that the BRICS group of emerging economies has extended invitations to Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran to join its ranks. The announcement came during the 15th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Johannesburg, which began on Tuesday.
In response to the announcement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the decision reflects Ethiopia’s “rapid economic development.” Nevertheless, the news has elicited mixed reactions. Supporters of the Ethiopian government view it as a cause for celebration, while critics point to the ongoing crisis within the country and the reported atrocities against innocent civilians, particularly in the Amhara region where Abiy deployed the military to quell the Fano militia.
The current BRICS membership consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. “We have reached an agreement on the BRICS expansion process,” stated Ramaphosa on the summit’s final day.
According to the declaration, the invited countries are set to become full members starting from January 1, 2024. This marks the second time BRICS has decided to enlarge its membership.
Present for the announcement were Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, three of the group’s leaders attending the summit.
Established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS was later joined by South Africa in 2010. The economic alliance accounts for around 40% of the global population and contributes over a quarter of the world’s GDP.
Two dozen countries, including Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Venezuela, Algeria, and Indonesia, have formally expressed interest in joining BRICS. However, the group has yet to disclose its membership criteria, as it seeks to enhance its influence in international institutions that have traditionally been dominated by Western nations.
