South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa says the country will leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a move that would help Russia leader Vladimir Putin, whom a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Hague-based court last month over allegations of war crimes, evade apprehension.

The ICC which South Africa is a joint signatory had in March this year issued a warrant for the arrest of president Putin following allegations of war crimes committed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion of its neighbour began over a year ago.

Such a move implies South Africa would be obliged to apprehend Mr Putin, who has been invited to the 15th BRICS Summit scheduled to hold in the country later in August this year immediately he steps foot in the Southern African nation.

Facing legal dilemma over Mr Putin’s potential visit to the country, Mr Ramaphosa said South Africa will quit the ICC. He also cited concerns amongst the members of the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) concerning the court’s unfair treatment of some countries.

His statement is in reference to complaints of bias towards many African leaders that have been brought before the Hague-based court while the court overlooks crimes committed by Western leaders.

“Our view is that we would like this matter of unfair treatment to be properly discussed. But in the meantime, the governing party has decided once again that there should be a pullout, so that will be a matter that will be taken forward,” said Mr Ramaphosa during a joint press conference with visiting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

The ANC party is a close ally of Moscow and has refused to condemn the Russian military presence in Ukraine – the party tried to pull out of the ICC in the past but was stopped by a South African court which said the move was unconstitutional.