Foreign relations of South Africa

South Africa

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of South Africa

Constitution Bill of Rights Government Executive President Jacob Zuma Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe Cabinet Shadow Cabinet Legislative Parliament National Council of Provinces Chairperson M. J. Mahlangu National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu Leader of the Opposition Helen Zille (national) Lindiwe Mazibuko (parliament) Judiciary Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng Pres. of Supreme Court of Appeal Lex Mpati Courts Constitutional Court Supreme Court of Appeal High Courts Magistrates' Courts Elections General: 1910 1915 1920 1921 1924 1929 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1961 1966 1970 1974 1977 1981 1984 1987 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 Municipal: 2000 2006 2011 2016 Referendums: 1960 1983 1992 Administrative divisions Provinces Districts (MMs, DMs) Municipalities (list) Other Political parties Foreign relations Taxation

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Foreign Relations of
South Africa

Dominion	31 May 1910
Sovereignty	11 December 1931
Joined UN	7 September 1945

The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as Dominion and later Realm of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under Apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa.

South Africa is active in the UN, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Considered a possible permanent addition to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa was elected by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council in 2007 for the first time ever.

History

Pre-apartheid

South Africa, as a key member of the British Empire and Commonwealth, fought alongside the United Kingdom and the Allies in both World War I and World War II, and it participated in the postwar UN force in the Korean War. South Africa was a founding member of the League of Nations and in 1927 established a Department of External Affairs with diplomatic missions in the main Western European countries and in the United States.

Apartheid

Main article: Foreign relations of apartheid South Africa

South Africa introduced apartheid in 1948, as a systematic extension of pre-existing racial discrimination in the country. As a result, the country became increasing isolated internationally until apartheid was ended and racial equality introduced in 1990–3.^{[citation needed]}

Post-apartheid

Having emerged from the international isolation of the apartheid era, South Africa has become a leading international actor. Its principal foreign policy objective is to develop good relations with all countries, especially its neighbours in the Southern African Development Community and the other members of the African Union. South Africa has played a key role in seeking an end to various conflicts and political crises on the African continent, including in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Comoros, and Zimbabwe. In August 1998, South Africa assumed the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, which it relinquished in July 2002.

Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi kingdom.

The South African government has been criticised by Human Rights Watch for deporting hundreds of thousands of Zimbabwean refugees and treating victims of political violence as economic migrants. By sending refugees back to persecution, Human Rights Watch has asserted that South Africa is violating the refugee convention and international law.

United Nations Security Council

South Africa was a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from October 2006 until 2008. South African votes in the UNSC have not been without controversy. In particular, a 'no' vote on a resolution criticising the Burmese government attracted widespread criticism.

South Africa also attempted to vote against economic sanctions for Iran; however, this was changed after South African realised that the 'no' vote would be defeated.

South Africa is again a non-permanent member of the Security Council until 2012.

Africa

Angola

Main article: Angola–South Africa relations

Angola-South Africa relations are quite strong, as the ruling parties in both nations – the African National Congress in South Africa and the MPLA in Angola – fought together during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War. They fought against UNITA rebels, based in Angola, and the apartheid-era government in South Africa who supported them. Nelson Mandela mediated between the MPLA and UNITA factions during the last years of Angola's civil war.

Egypt

See Foreign relations of Egypt

Lesotho

South African relations with Lesotho were quite clandestine

Malawi

Main article: Malawi – South Africa relations

Since South Africa and Malawi had their first democratic elections in 1994, Malawi and South Africa have enhanced relations. In 2008, the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to enhance the relationship between the two countries through enhanced security cooperation.

Namibia

Main article: Namibia – South Africa relations

Upon independence in 1990, Namibia's economy was still tied to South Africa's. To this day, the economy of Namibia is still closely contacted to South Africa through both institutional relationships (Southern African Customs Union, for example) and privately owned mining concessions. The South African rand is still legal currency within Namibia (while the Namibian dollar is not so in South Africa), and the currencies are traded on par locally.

Zimbabwe

Main article: South Africa–Zimbabwe relations

South Africa has a mission in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate general in Johannesburg. The Government of Zimbabwe took a particular interest in the search for independence for Namibia (South-West Africa) from South Africa. In addition, as chairman of the front-line states in southern Africa, Zimbabwe spoke out vigorously against the policies of apartheid in South Africa and frequently called for the imposition of economic sanctions against the government. However, whilst supporting democractic change in South Africa, Mugabe did not support the idea of Zimbabwe being used as a base for anti-South African guerillas.

In recent years, following the political crisis in the country, the ex-president Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and Zanu PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism. Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and has urged the parties to form a unity government.

Europe

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Bulgaria		See Bulgaria – South Africa relations Interest Offices between South Africa and Bulgaria were opened initially in November 1990 and full diplomatic relations was established on 2 February 1992. Bulgaria has an embassy in Pretoria and South Africa is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Athens (Greece). South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Bulgaria
Croatia		See Foreign relations of Croatia
Denmark		See Denmark-South Africa relations
Finland	1949-05-15	See Finland – South Africa relations A South African legation was established in 1967 and relations were then upgraded to ambassadorial level in March 1991. Finland has an embassy in Pretoria, a general consulate in Johannesburg and a consulate in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Helsinki. During World War II South Africa declared war on Finland.
Greece		See Foreign relations of Greece
Ireland		See Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland
Italy		See Foreign relations of Italy
Romania		See Foreign relations of Romania
Russia	1992-02-28	See Russia–South Africa relations Russia has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Moscow. South African Department of Foreign Affaires about the relation with Russia
Serbia		See Foreign relations of Serbia Serbia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa is represented in Serbia through its embassy in Athens (Greece).
Switzerland		See South Africa – Switzerland relations South Africa has an embassy in Bern and a general consulate in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Pretoria and a general consulate in Cape Town. South African Department of Foreign Affairs abou relations with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with South Africa
Turkey	1991	See South African – Turkish relations Diplomatic relations were established at consular level in 1991 and consulates-general were opened in Istanbul and Johannesburg respectively. Both consulates were closed following the upgrading of relations to ambassadorial level in October 1992. South Africa has an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has an embassy in Pretoria. See also Turks in South Africa Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with South Africa
Ukraine		See South Africa – Ukraine relations South Africa established its Embassy in Kiev in October 1992. Ukraine established its Embassy in Pretoria in 1995. South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Ukraine

Americas

Argentina

• Diplomatic relations were cut off in 1982 with the Falklands War. Full diplomatic relations between both countries were re-established in August 1991.
• Argentina has an embassy in Pretoria
• South Africa has an embassy in Buenos Aires.
• Both countries are members of the Cairns Group.
• List of Treaties ruling relations Argentina and South Africa (Argentine Foreign Ministry, in Spanish)
• South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Argentina

Brazil

Main article: Brazil – South Africa relations

Brazil has provided military assistance to South Africa in the form of warfare training and logistics. Bilateral relations between the countries have recently increased, as a result of Brazil's new South-South foreign policy aimed to strengthen integration between the major powers of the developing world.

Canada

Main article: Canada-South Africa relations

Canada established its diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1939, along with other nations, due to the outbreak of World War II. Canada actively encouraged the end of Apartheid in South Africa and the countries have had normal relations since then. The Constitution of South Africa was, in part, inspired by the Constitution of Canada, particularly the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Former South African President Nelson Mandela made an official state visit to Canada in September 1998. Mandela was made an honorary Canadian citizen, during his second visit to Canada. A 2003 visit by President Thabo Mbeki in November 2003, the Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to strengthen relations between the two countries. Canada has assisted South Africa in the areas of development (over $200 million) and the fight against AIDS in South Africa and to strengthen services provided by the Government of South Africa. Trade between the two countries totalled $1.8 billion in 2008.

Mexico

Main article: Mexico–South Africa relations

There were no official relations between Mexico and South Africa before 1994. After the birth of democracy in South Africa, the countries established relations. Mexico has an embassy in Pretoria, South Africa has an embassy in Mexico City.

United States

Main article: South Africa – United States relations

The United States has maintained an official presence in South Africa since 1799, when an American consulate was opened in Cape Town. The U.S. Embassy is located in Pretoria, and Consulates General are in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Americans and South Africans also have many non-governmental ties: black and white American missionaries, for example, have a long history of activity in South Africa. South Africans (particularly the ANC leadership) also acknowledge support from and ties to the anti-apartheid movement in the U.S.

Rest of world

Australia

Main article: Australia – South Africa relations

• Date started: 1947
• Australia has a High Commission in Pretoria.
• South Africa has a High Commission in Canberra.

People's Republic of China

Main article: People's Republic of China – South Africa relations

• Date started: January 1998
• The PRC has an embassy in Pretoria.
• South Africa has an embassy in Beijing and a Consulate-General in both Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Despite Pretoria's long relationship with the government in Taiwan and late recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1998 the two countries currently enjoy an increasingly close relationship. Increasingly numerous official visits to each others countries by their respective officials and rapidly increasing trade between the two countries has drawn them ever increasingly together.

Republic of China

Main article: Republic of China – South Africa relations

• Period of recognition: 1949 - January 1998
• Taiwan has a Taipei Liaison Office in Pretoria.
• South Africa has a Taiwan Liaison Office in Taipei.

Relations were established between the two countries in 1949 and grew considerably after 1971 until South Africa announced that it would switch recognition from the government in Taipei to the People's Republic of China in December 1996.

Tibet

Main article: Tibet – South Africa relations

• South Africa denied the Dalai Lama a visa March 2009 to attend a peace conference linked to the 2010 Football World Cup.
• South Africa did not give a visa to the Dalai Lama to participate the 80th birthday party of Archbishop Desmond Tutu on 7 October 2011.

India

Main article: India – South Africa relations

There is a major resident Indian community in South Africa that made a significant contribution to the struggle for civil rights; Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi pioneered the non-violent civil disobedience in the struggle of Indian people for civil rights in the 1890s and 1900s. Indians also contributed to the African National Congress's struggle against the Apartheid regime. The Indian government was an outspoken critic of the apartheid-era South African government, refusing to maintain diplomatic relations. India's support evoked goodwill in South Africa and other African countries.

Iran

Main article: Iran – South Africa relations

South Africa and Iran share historical bilateral relations and the latter supported the South African liberation movements. It severed official relations with South Africa in 1979 and imposed a trade boycott in protest against the country's Apartheid policies. However, in January 1994, Iran lifted all trade and economic sanctions against South Africa and diplomatic relations were reestablished on 10 May 1994.

Israel

Main article: Israel–South Africa relations

Former ANC leader Nelson Mandela first visited Israel in 1999. Mandela said: "To the many people who have questioned why I came, I say: Israel worked very closely with the apartheid regime. I say: I've made peace with many men who slaughtered our people like animals. Israel cooperated with the apartheid regime, but it did not participate in any atrocities". Then Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited South Africa in 2004, meeting with South African President Thabo Mbeki, the first visit by an Israeli leader since the end of apartheid.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of South Africa
• List of diplomatic missions in South Africa

References

• Department of Foreign Affairs

External links

• CBC Digital Archives – Canada and the Fight Against Apartheid
• IBSA – India, Brazil, South Africa – News and Media

Videos

• US Policy on South Africa from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives
• US Policy on Namibia from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives