ANC, a 39% party, no longer calls the shots: DA demands overhaul of foreign policy

DA

Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for an immediate and formal review of South Africa’s foreign policy, urging the cabinet to adopt a more inclusive, consensus-driven approach to international relations.

The move comes in response to escalating tensions between the United States of America and South Africa, which have raised concerns about the country’s diplomatic direction and its long-standing ties with global powers.

Emma Powell, DA’s Member of Parliament and spokesperson on international relations and cooperation, has called on the government to reconsider its approach to appointing ambassadors, advocating for a process based on shared decision-making rather than the historically centralised authority of the African National Congress (ANC).

Powell argued that the ANC, which now controls only 39% of parliamentary seats, no longer holds an outright majority and is therefore no longer in a position to unilaterally determine the nation’s foreign policy without engaging its partners in the multiparty government.

“The ANC, a 39% party, no longer enjoy an outright majority and are no longer at liberty to single-handedly determine South Africa’s foreign policy agenda without consulting their partners in government,” Powell said in a statement.

“Section 231 (1) of the Constitution is clear that the negotiation and signing of all international agreements is the responsibility of the National Executive, in other words – the multiparty Cabinet, established and regulated in terms of the Government of National Unity’s founding Statement of Intent.”

Powell emphasised that the GNU’s Statement of Intent outlines that decisions made by the national executive (Cabinet) should be grounded in the principle of “sufficient consensus”.

In light of the critical need to grow our economy and create jobs, South Africa’s foreign policy must now be driven by an unwavering commitment to our Country’s domestic growth, rather than being dictated by the African National Congress’s historical and fraternal allegiances.

Under the Government of National Unity, South Africa’s embassies across the world must now be staffed by suitably qualified and appropriately trained professionals, capable of appropriately and impartially representing our miracle democracy.

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