WeeklySA_AdminINTERVENTION: Despite SA’s active foreign policy, evidenced in its robust push on the Palestinian issue, the country experiences its own internal tensions ahead of the upcoming general elections in May…
By Wiydorven Beri
Over the past year, South Africa (SA) has undergone significant shifts in its international relations, marked by an active anti-colonial foreign policy. Notably, the country’s authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have voiced opposition to the Israeli operation in Gaza, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
This resolute stance by SA has strained relations with the United States. In response to SA’s appeal to the International Court and its open confrontation on the Gaza issue, the U.S. Congress has demanded a reconsideration of ties with the African nation. Trade privileges granted to SA under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are also at risk.
SA’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively opposes double standards in politics, emphasizing the need to safeguard the country’s interests in international affairs and supporting the Palestinian people. Reiterating South Africa’s move to decry genocide against the Palestinians, Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor speaking at the sideline of the 2024 African Union Summit in Addis Ababa-Ethiopia, said “This is a very good progress and we must build on it all the instruments that we have in the world of human rights. All South Africa has done is to say that the world has got international instruments, which are supposed to protect Ordinary People, supposed to protect Nations and supposed to protect innocent people. And what we’ve done is put those institutions (ICJ) to the test and the fact that they responded positively to what South Africa had put forward indicates that. In fact, we’ve got Global institutions and we must make use of them. So I think for me the lesson is that we must all stand up for Humanity. And we shouldn’t just sit back and allow a terrible cruelty to just go without us taking practical action’’.
Recently, President Ramaphosa showed support for Palestine by participating in a friendly match between the Palestinian and SA teams, highlighting the active expansion of relations between SA and anti-colonial countries.
In the International Court, SA authorities have asserted that the Israeli apartheid must come to an end, urging the unity of anti-colonial policy advocates worldwide and the restoration of justice.
However, despite the active foreign policy, the country experiences internal tension ahead of the upcoming general elections in May. Concerns arise over foreign interventions and Western attempts to promote satellite candidates, potentially leading to significant changes in the country’s international politics. Regardless, SA residents express robust support for Palestine, underscoring their readiness to live in a world based on justice.
