South Africa remains the Bastion of Democracy committed to a Non-aligned Foreign Policy

By Mr Ronald Lamola

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa

During a recent working trip to the United States of America, I had the opportunity to visit Washington. As I drove down Massachusetts Drive, passing by the South African Embassy, I couldn't help but notice two familiar sights. The first was the impressive figure of President Mandela, depicted with his iconic raised fist, symbolising the rallying cry of South Africans: "Amandla Ngawethu." The second was the abundance of embassies in Washington, which reminded me of our diplomatic hub, Pretoria, up there with countries which are home to the highest number of diplomatic missions.?

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This visit was significant for our government of national unity, aligning with our priorities for South Africa. One of the standout moments of the visit was the profound reminder by audiences and interlocutors of the historic feat of 1994, which has endured to the present day. This enduring legacy culminated in the May 2024 elections and coincided with 30 years of democracy. This was celebrated across the board, even by some staunchest critics.

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In my engagements with interlocutors from Congress; corporate leaders and think tanks across the political spectrums; people in academia and retired veteran diplomats it was clear that there was reverence for the fact that even though the ANC did not obtain an outright majority in the 2024 elections, it magnanimously accepted the outcome of the elections. The peaceful transfer of power through our formation of a GNU was lauded. We responded with a simple message: when we formed the government of national unity, we understood full well that our challenges were too big for us to be bickering over the spoils of power. The levels of joblessness, inequality and poverty in South Africa need us to ensure that our economy performs in a manner that ultimately resolves these issues.

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But perhaps, more pointedly, this is one of shared values, a commitment to democracy. We remain true to our underlying principle and vision: The People shall govern, and South Africa belongs to all who live in it.? At a time where the world is confronted by democratic backsliding, our commitment to promoting this shared value is even more critical.

South Africa remains a bastion of democracy after 30 years of rejoining the international community, something we should not take for granted, and work on consolidating it all the time. The rebirth of our democratic nation is firmly anchored on protecting and promoting human rights.

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In terms of foreign policy, South Africa has advanced a non-aligned position in our international relations. As President Cyril Ramaphosa stated, “We have deliberately avoided aligning our country with any of the major powers or blocs. Rather, we have sought to forge cordial relations with all countries. While we have taken a non-aligned position, we continue to pursue positions that are in keeping with the UN Charter.”

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Our commitment to multilateralism is deeply entrenched in our foreign policy DNA. We say with conviction that the United Nations and the United Nations Charter remain the bedrock of world order, including other multilateral institutions. International law must be asserted and developed.

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Having had probing discussions with several interlocutors across the political aisles, it is clear that, objectively speaking, we all agree that the United Nations Security Council is not fit for purpose in its current form. Seventy-nine years since its establishment, we still have five countries with the right to decide what is right for the world in a fundamentally different world.? We are no longer in the grips of the Cold War but in pursuit of our multi-polar world where platforms like G20 and BRICS drive mutually beneficial development. Indeed, we remain deeply troubled by signs of a new post-Cold War Cold and heightened great power rivalry and the plans to turn every area into a playground for proxy wars and scramble for resources.?

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As a country of the Global South and one of the most industrialised economies in Africa, we are also convinced that the world cannot move forward without Africa’s development. For this reason, South Africa is deeply concerned with inclusive human development and the silencing of guns worldwide. We are particularly troubled by the situations in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the general instability in the SAHEL region. We believe in the mantra articulated in the AU’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), “There can be no peace without development; no development without peace.”

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Some great powers who champion a “rules-based world order” proudly remind us of a gift they gave the world 79 years ago: the Bretton Woods Institutions. Yet, when we use these very instruments, the reaction is to demonise and punish those of us who believe in multilateralism. The indiscriminate killing and suffering of Palestinians in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of our own experiences under Apartheid. We felt compelled to take action when the world stood by and watched as genocide unfolded in Gaza following the October 7th attacks.

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Under the Geneva Convention, we were obligated to take Israel to the International Court of Justice to ensure it abides by its obligations. With that same voice, we condemned the attack by Hamas that killed and injured innocent people. We continue to call for the release of hostages and have commended the United States, Qatar and Egypt on mediation efforts that seek to enable the release of Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages, as well as the provision of relief aid to Gaza. Ultimately, long-lasting peace in the Middle East is also something we agree on.

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Our foreign policy is guided by our Constitution and the international relations principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Regarding conflicts such as that between Russia and Ukraine, we firmly believe that the only way to stop any conflict is through peaceful dialogue. We are anti-war. Period. War has never brought about lasting peace. Drawing from our experience in South Africa, we stand ready to ensure that a credible ceasefire materialises, followed by a dialogue that can lead to a long-lasting solution.

Our nation is a testament to the fact that dialogue can unite enemies and create bonds that define human relations beyond their lifetime.

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We have often disagreed on the use of force, but we will continue to seek ways to work together to end deadly conflict and advance the well-being of Africa and other countries of the developing South.

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As I left Washington, I had a strong sense we cannot stagnate over differences, serious though some might be. Instead, as we have done in the past, we can manage our differences with mutual respect and pursue a common vision for sustainable development and prosperity between both countries. We must treat each other respectfully and work together where our interests intersect. We should try to use the power of persuasion when differences are sharp. But in the final analysis, our belief that there shall be peace and friendship in the world remains our outlook.

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South Africa values its bilateral relations with all countries, including the United States. Both nations have a longstanding history of championing international peace and security and advancing efforts aimed at human development and inclusive societies. South Africa and the US are in the G20 troika, which we will host in 2025, followed by the US in 2026.

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I extend my well wishes to the United States for the upcoming elections planned for November 2024.

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