By Following the public criticism by the Democratic Alliance (DA) towards President Cyril Ramaphosa for calling Putin and Russia ‘a valuable ally and friend’, the President affirmed and asserted South Africa’s foreign policy and said the country is a friend to all.
The DA Leader John Steenhuisen, a member of the GNU Parliament, had most South Africans cringing in fear of the impact of his utterances about a historical ally of South Africa, Russia, wherein he said his party, speaking on behalf of South Africans reject Putin and Russia as an ally.
The public criticism by Steenhuisen has brought some questions to the minds of many on whether if the Government of National Unity (GNU) is really united as President Cyril Ramaphosa is trying to sell it to international allies? Without aggression towards the defiant DA, he asserted South Africa’s Foreign Policy position.
Ramaphosa pointed the nation back to 20 August 2023, prior the 15th BRICS Summit chaired by South Africa where he delivered South Africa’s Foreign Policy position.
In that address; he reminded the nation of the principles and values that shaped South Africa’s foreign policy and inform the nation’s international relations.
“Before the dawn of democracy in 1994, the apartheid South African state was a pariah in the international community, condemned for committing a crime against humanity.
The foreign policy of apartheid South Africa was defined by coercion, destabilisation and military aggression. Since the advent of democracy, South Africa’s foreign policy has been based on what our forebears inscribed in the Freedom Charter in 1955, when they declared that: “South Africa shall be a fully independent state which respects the rights and the sovereignty of all nations; South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and the settlement of all international disputes by negotiation – not war”, said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa pointed out that the country’s Foreign Policy is vital as it enables South Africa to progress, to have meaningful bilateral and trade relations with other countries, which can help grow the economy of the country and create jobs.
He explained that South Africa; based on experience and observation of other nations across the globe, South Africa did not want to find itself in either extremes of conflicting nations; hence the country opted for a non-alignment stance when it comes allies.
“During the ‘Cold War’, the stability and sovereignty of many African countries was undermined because of their alignment with the major powers. This experience has convinced us of the need to seek strategic partnerships with other countries rather than be dominated by any other country.
While some of our detractors prefer overt support for their political and ideological choices, we will not be drawn into a contest between global powers. Instead, our country strives to work with all countries for global peace and development,” he said.
“It is this resolute adherence to the policy of non-alignment and to the prescripts of the Freedom Charter which informed our constitution that South Africa continues to contribute towards the attainment of world peace and silencing the guns on our continent,” he continued.
In declaring President Putin and the people of Russia as “valuable friends and allies”, President Ramaphosa was not projecting any particular country or bloc of countries as the enemy. Similarly, as a country that has no enemies, South Africa regards the members of BRICS as friends.
“It is through the policy of non-alignment that South Africa has been able to constructively engage with both Russia and Ukraine,” said Ramaphosa.
In contrast to what the DA was saying, Ramaphosa said South Africa is enjoying cordial diplomatic bilateral relations with Ukraine. Furthermore, South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Hon. Ronald Lamola, will host his Ukrainian counterpart today, 28 October 2024, Minister Andrii Sybiha, where the duo will be signing an Agreement on Visa Waiver for Diplomatic Service or Official Passports.
