BREAKING Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists announces its intention to challenge in court the decision to ban media circulation under what is known as "conspiracy against state security" Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during receiving Al-Nakhalah: Iran will always stand by the Palestinian people and support their just cause, which is the cause of all Muslims Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi receives the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, Ziad Al-Nakhalah, and the accompanying delegation Al-Murtada to Al Mayadeen: It was agreed to hold another round after Eid Al-Adha to agree on a new prisoner exchange deal Taiwan 'most prominent risk' in China-US relations: China FM Beijing-Washington relations at 'lowest point' since 1979: China FM Al-Murtada to Al Mayadeen: A number of ideas and proposals were discussed to expand the prisoner exchange deal between the two parties to the conflict in Yemen Head of the National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, Abdul Qadir Al-Murtada, to Al Mayadeen: The round of talks in Jordan ended without reaching any agreement US says Chinese FM to visit after 'constructive' Blinken talks: AFP Al Mayadeen's Correspondent: Iran, Uzbekistan, sign 11 MoUs to increase relations in energy, trade, and economic fields. Journalists accompanying S. Africa President stuck in plane in Poland
- By Al Mayadeen English
- Source: Agencies
- 16 Jun 18:23
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The crew has been stuck in the plane since Thursday.
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Journalist Amanda Khoza posted this picture on her Twitter account on June 16, 2023. The caption reads "Negotiations are currently underway between the SA and Polish governments. It appears as though the Polish government is willing to let us off but with a condition that they want to unload the cargo to see what weapons SA is carrying." (Twitter)
Journalist Amanda Khoza from the South African news agency Sunday Times, who is accompanying South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on a visit to Poland and Ukraine within the framework of the African peace mission, said on Friday that she and the group of journalists that were supposed to travel with the South African leader are still stuck in a plane for the second day in a row in the Polish capital of Warsaw due to allegations of weapons transportation.
As for Ramaphosa, the President has already arrived in Ukraine alone, without his protection service which also remains stuck in the plane, sources say.
Earlier in the day, Khoza said in a tweet that the journalists on board the plane had been asked whether they wanted to get off the plane or remain on the flight with the South African security personnel "because if you leave, you will not be allowed to get back on."
The journalist expressed gratitude to the cabin staff for staying on board and bringing food from a close Burger King and for "trying their best to manage this situation."
Read more: US accuses S. Africa of providing Russia with ammo without evidence
Khoza later wrote on Twitter that the "necessary clearance to leave Warsaw, Poland, to Rzezow has been obtained. We are now preparing to leave."
Moments after she posted the Tweet, she wrote that journalists were told that the aircraft would not leave Warsaw.
Ramaphosa's security personnel and the group of accompanying journalists have been stuck in the plane since Thursday. The head of the South African president's security service, Major General Wally Rhoode, said that these events indicate that Poland is intentionally trying to disrupt the peace mission in Ukraine.
Poland's customs guard said that Ramaphosa's security personnel voluntarily stayed on the plane as they did not have authorization for weapons transportation. The statement issued by the border guards made no reference to the journalists on the plane who were told they were also not allowed to leave the plane.
The South African leader's visit comes in light of a peace mission that was initially announced on May 16, during which several African countries agreed to take part in a peace initiative with the aim of settling the Ukraine conflict. The countries that partook in this initiative include Zambia, Senegal, the Congo, Uganda, Egypt, and South Africa. The South African President said on May 16 that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted to receive the mission.
Four African Presidents, including Ramaphosa, are scheduled to meet with Zelensky in Kiev on June 16, while a meeting with Putin will be held on June 17.
Read more: US envoy lashes out at South Africa, Washington displeased: Politico
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