Government tells science agencies not to comment on Ukraine

The South African government has told its science agencies not to make public comments about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as it insisted ties with Russia should be maintained despite the nation’s attack on its neighbour, writes Linda Nordling for Research Professional News.

The demand for silence – made by a senior Department of Science and Innovation official – is in stark contrast to many of South Africa’s close scientific cooperation partners, such as the European Union, which is rolling back support for science in Russia in protest at that country’s military actions in Ukraine.

Research Professional News understands that some scientists in South Africa are deeply unhappy with the country’s stance. A scientist employed at a South African government research entity, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while the government had previously warned entities against making policy-critical statements, none have been “so targeted”.
Full report on the Research Professional News site