Cape Town — Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, said the government will not change its foreign policy as it wants to ensure global peace.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been a point of contention in South Africa due to the stance taken towards the respective countries. During the BRICS Summit, Ramaphosa admitted that Russia was a valued ally of South Africa, which the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) John Steenhuisen, said Ramaphosa’s views were not representative of South Africa.
Lamola met with Ukranian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, on Monday in an effort to the government to keep the Ukraine War at the top of the G20’s agenda before South Africa takes over the G20 Presidency next month, EWN reported.
The Minister explained that, by sending envoys around the world to explain the government’s position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine does not mean it is misunderstood or not being heard.
“It’s part of normal diplomatic processes. In diplomacy, you explain everything. You continue to engage all parties, and that’s why countries go around the world. We visit each other,” Lamola said.
Today, we are hosting my Ukrainian counterpart Minister of Foreign Affairs @andrii_sybih on an official visit.
South Africa will continue to advocate for the peaceful resolution of conflict and participate in platforms that seek to find diplomatic solutions to conflict. pic.twitter.com/XNvTvIHydq
— Minister: International Relations and Cooperation (@RonaldLamola) October 28, 2024
The meeting with Sybiha was to try and better understand each other’s positions and believed that Russia’s participation was vital for succcess of the next round of peace talks to end the war with Ukraine.
According to SABC News, Lamola also explained that people should not jump the gun. He added that the executive authority of the State is vested with the President.
“We also facilitate and coordinate in terms of the Foreign Service Act DIRCO [Department of International Relations and Cooperation] which coordinates and handles all issues related to our foreign policy. Our colleagues should not jump the gun they, should allow the processes to be concluded,” explains Lamola.
DIRCO spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said the discussions between the the ministers showed South Africa’s non-aligned policy.
“Nothing shows South Africa’s non-alignment more strongly than that and that consistency in us saying we are a non-aligned state, that wants to be engaging with both sides of any divide- to ensure that we are able to drive the process forward to a long-lasting and just peace process, and that’s definitely what we saw today,” Phiri said.
#SAUkraineRelations| Our engagement today presents an opportunity for us to review the current state of our bilateral, political and economic relations with a view to unlock further opportunities…Minister Lamola pic.twitter.com/EDrVgUqk8w
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) October 28, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
