By Betha Madhomu
Cape Town – International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has reiterated South Africa’s steadfast support for Palestinians in their struggle for self-determination.
Speaking during his budget vote speech on Thursday, Lamola said: “South Africa will continue to do everything within its power to preserve the existence of the Palestinian people as a group, to end all acts of apartheid and genocide against the Palestinian people and to walk with them towards the realisation of their collective right to self-determination and this informed our application to the International Court of Justice.”
The minister stressed the country’s commitment to defending Palestinian rights via international bodies such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The newly appointed minister championed South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ.
“South Africa led the six states’ referral of the situation in Palestine to the International Criminal Court (ICC). We will continue preparing and managing the ICJ case against Israel and providing observations on the situation in Palestine before the ICC,” said Lamola.
He also outlined South Africa’s proactive non-alignment policy, which aims to foster peace through dialogue rather than taking sides.
READ| Speech by Minister Ronald Lamola during #DIRCOBudgetVote, 11 July 2024.https://t.co/BrVLJ28FC1 pic.twitter.com/Y1u1HoxQqJ
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) July 12, 2024
“The evolving international world order necessitates strengthening the Non-Aligned Movement. South Africa’s policy of active non-alignment is not reactive but an affirmative agenda. It is not about being neutral or abstaining from world affairs but putting forward a unifying agenda through dialogue to achieve peace for developing countries that do not wish to take sides in great power rivalry.
“As sovereign nations, we seek independent foreign policies aligning with our developmental priorities. This makes non-aligned countries useful mediators in conflicts like that between Russia and Ukraine,” Lamola said.
Lamola highlighted the global impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly on Africa, where it has significantly increased consumer prices for food and energy.
He stressed the urgent need for global cooperation to resolve conflicts and mitigate their economic effects.
Lamola praised South Africa’s role in coordinating the Africa Peace Initiative.
“South Africa coordinated the first-ever Africa Peace Initiative beyond the continent’s borders when President Ramaphosa led a delegation of six African Heads of State to Ukraine and Russia last year.
“In the emerging world order, we are more cognisant than ever that economic prosperity largely depends on stability, peace, and respect for the rule of law.
“There can be no peace in any part of the world where people are being oppressed or struggling under the yoke of colonialism and occupation,” he said.
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