Washington and Pretoria: A History of Disagreement

Based on the provided text, here’s a breakdown of South Africa’s foreign policy and its motivations:

Core Beliefs & Past context:

* solidarity with Liberation Movements: South Africa ⁤deeply values relationships with countries that supported its anti-apartheid struggle, believing⁢ they were on the “right side of ⁣history.” This shapes ⁤its current alliances and perspectives.
* ⁤ Commitment⁤ to a Reformed International Order: While respecting principles like sovereignty and multilateralism, South Africa aims to strengthen the UN and global governance to counter perceived “unilateralist and warmongering tendencies” of powerful nations.They want change within the system, using legalistic means.
* Freedom Charter Influence: The 1955 Freedom Charter⁣ guides thier policy, advocating for both national independence and equal rights globally.

Key Characteristics of ⁢South African Foreign‍ Policy:

* Active Nonalignment: South Africa doesn’t remain neutral in great power conflicts. Instead, it ⁢strategically leverages geopolitical tensions to advance its own principles.
* Selective Submission of Principles: Their commitment to human rights and international law is often applied selectively, based on whether a government is seen as ⁢an ally ⁣in challenging global power imbalances.
* Sympathy for‍ the Global South: They prioritize relationships with countries in the Global South and often side with those challenging ⁣Western dominance.
* Willingness to Embrace Adversaries: When the US has been dominant, South Africa has often warmed to US adversaries, sometimes overlooking their internal repression. Examples include Russia and Iran.

Specific Examples:

* Ukraine/Russia: South Africa downplayed concerns‍ about Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s actions to maintain solidarity with Moscow.
* ⁢ Iran: A ⁢former ⁤South African foreign minister defended Iran against being labeled “authoritarian.”
* Israel/Palestine: While sympathetic ‍to Palestinians, their decision to bring a case of genocide against Israel to the ICJ followed instances⁣ of overlooking international legal obligations (like failing to arrest Omar al-Bashir).
* Omar al-Bashir: South Africa refused to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir despite an ICC ‍warrant, citing national law.

Domestic Factors Influencing Foreign Policy:

* Internal inequality & ⁣Political Pressure: South Africa faces significant domestic challenges, including inequality and corruption.The ANC is losing support.
* Radical Opposition: Left-wing rivals (like the Economic Freedom Fighters and uMkhonto we Sizwe) push for more radical economic policies.
* Domestic Political Gains: ⁤Taking a strong stance⁤ against the US or in support of Palestine can boost the ANC’s popularity at home. Ramaphosa saw an approval rating increase after condemning Israel.
* Safer ‍Realm for Radicalism: Foreign policy is seen as a less risky area to demonstrate radical credentials than attempting⁣ drastic domestic economic changes.

In essence, South africa’s foreign policy is a complex blend of historical solidarity, a desire for a more equitable global order, strategic opportunism, and domestic political calculations. It’s a policy that often prioritizes challenging Western dominance and supporting the Global South, even if it means overlooking inconsistencies in its application of international law and human rights principles.