By Steenhuisen says the Democratic Alliance does not consider Russia, or Vladimir Putin, to be an ally of South Africa.
Ideological differences in the Government of National Unity (GNU) are begging to rear their ugly head on international matters that are key on how South Africa is viewed across the world and who its allies are.
His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently leading a delegation at the XVI BRICS Summit hosted in Kazan, Russia. On Tuesday 22 October 2024, Ramaphosa met with the President of the Russian Federation His Excellency Vladimir Putin for their bilateral engagement, during the discussions, Ramaphosa affirmed Putin that the GNU is working well and that Russia remains a valuable ally and friend of South Africa.
Reacting to this, the Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) an opposition party that is part of the GNU Mr John Steenhuisen rejected and distanced his party from the remarks of Cyril Ramaphosa saying they reject this characterisation in no uncertain terms.
When they GNU was formed, party ideology was of great concern, especially on international matters, but the parties said they will find each other and that the GNU will not fail. The DA is a known avid supporter of Ukraine, to a point that Steenhuisen visited the country in May 2022 to see the extent of the damaged caused by the war.
Steenhuisen says the Democratic Alliance does not consider Russia, or Vladimir Putin, to be an ally of South Africa.
“We cannot and will not agree that South Africa should consider an authoritarian regime that is currently violating international law by waging an imperialist war of aggression against a sovereign state, as an ally.
At a time when South Africa is experiencing renewed optimism with the first real prospects of economic growth in almost two decades, our government simply cannot afford to make statements that could jeopardise international relations and trade opportunities, which are crucial for realising our key objectives of growth and job creation,” said the DA Leader John Steenhuisen.
“As Leader of the Democratic Alliance in the GNU, I reiterate the importance of positions expressed on behalf of the GNU being the subject to full and proper debate within the government mechanisms before being announced as positions of the GNU to ensure maximum consensus and agreement amongst the parties to the GNU,” he continued.
