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South Africa–Ukraine relations

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South African-Ukrainian relations
Map indicating locations of South Africa and Ukraine

South Africa
Ukraine
Envoy
Ambassador André GroenewaldAmbassador Liubov Abravitova

South African-Ukrainian relations refers to the current and historical relations between South Africa and Ukraine. South Africa established an embassy in Kyiv in October 1992 while Ukraine established an embassy in Pretoria in 1995.[1]

2022 Russian invasion

Despite being a publicly strong proponent of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states South Africa has avoided criticizing Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and instead weakly argued for solidarity amongst BRICS nations.[2]

Although initially critical of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine[3][4] South Africa sought to repair and maintain friendly relations with Russia.[5][6] South Africa was one of 35 countries that abstained from voting on a United Nations condemnation of Russia's invasion of the country.[7] Ukraine's ambassador to South Africa described South Africa's stance at the UN as "puzzling", "unacceptable" and "alarming."[8] Ukraine's ambassador to South Africa later stated that her country was finding it difficult to engage with the South African government on the issue due to lingering goodwill towards Russia; the ambassador stated that this was because of the Soviet Union's assistance to the anti-apartheid struggle which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) views as being provided by Russia.[9]

On 20 April 2022 South African president Cyril Ramaphosa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the war. Seven weeks after Ramaphosa discussed the war with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. The length of time between Ramaphosa's discussions with the two and the reported difficulty that the Ukrainians had in organising the meeting was controversial.[10]

A March 2022 draft resolution presented by South Africa to the United Nations was criticized by Ukraine for favouring Russia and not consulting it on the resolution.[11] The South African draft resolution omitted any mention of Russia's aggressive actions towards Ukraine;[12][13] instead an alternative resolution proposed by France and Mexico that explicitly mentioned Russia as the aggressor was adopted.[13][11]

President Ramaphosa stated that South Africans "in the main" support the South African government's neutral position on the war.[14]

Response in the Western Cape

Despite the South African governments position on the Russian invasion the Cape Town City hall was lite up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to show the city's solidarity with the country.

Domestically the South African government's (headed by the ANC) tacit support for Russia was controversial leading to the Western Cape Government (headed by the opposition Democratic Alliance) to light up the provincial government buildings[15] and the Cape Town City Hall[16] in the colours of the Ukrainian flag in support of the country. The mayor of Cape Town went on to pledge support for the city of Kyiv in particular and Ukraine in general during the war.[17] The Western Cape provincial cabinet later passed a resolution supporting Ukraine and condemning the Russian invasion.[18]

Economy

In 2008 South Africa was ranked second (after Ghana) among all African countries in terms of products exported to Ukraine. In that year, trade between the two countries had grown 5.4 times to $375.1 million.[19] By 2021 South Africa exported R434.83 million (US$ 28.98 million) and imported R730.10 million (US$ 48.67 million) worth of goods to and from Ukraine.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ukraine". www.dirco.gov.za. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  2. ^ Rumer, Andrew S. Weiss, Eugene; Rumer, Andrew S. Weiss, Eugene. "Nuclear Enrichment: Russia's Ill-Fated Influence Campaign in South Africa". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2022-02-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Fabricius, Peter (2022-02-24). "WAR IN EUROPE: Pretoria calls on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
  4. ^ "SA tells Russia to withdraw from Ukraine 'immediately' | eNCA". www.enca.com. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
  5. ^ Fabricius, Peter (2022-02-27). "WAR IN EUROPE: Pretoria scrambles to repair relations with Russia after calling for invasion forces to leave Ukraine". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  6. ^ Felix, Jason. "SA maintains 'cordial and friendly' relationship with Russia despite invasion of Ukraine". News24. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  7. ^ "UN General Assembly demands Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, South Africa abstains from vote". The Mail & Guardian. 2022-03-03. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  8. ^ Khumalo, Juniour. "Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Ambassador 'puzzled' by SA's decision to abstain during UN vote". News24. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  9. ^ "Yesterday: SA is still too close to Moscow for our message to get through. Ukraine Said. Images - Opera News". za.opera.news. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  10. ^ Fabricius, Peter (2022-04-21). "WAR IN EUROPE: Ramaphosa and Zelensky finally talk on Wednesday night about Russian aggression". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  11. ^ a b Gerber, Jan. "Ukraine shames SA on global stage over proposed UN resolution backed by Russia". News24. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  12. ^ "U.N. Security Council defeats Russia humanitarian resolution on Ukraine that would omit fault". PBS NewsHour. 2022-03-23. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  13. ^ a b Fabricius, Peter (2022-03-26). "DIPLOMATIC DISASTER: SA's egg dance on war in Europe a lesson in how not to win friends and influence people". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  14. ^ Nkanjeni, Unathi (25 March 2022). "Most South Africans support our stance over Russia-Ukraine conflict, says Ramaphosa". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  15. ^ Evans, Jenni. "Opposition parties see red over Western Cape legislature's yellow and blue lights for Ukraine". News24. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  16. ^ Evans, Jenni. "Cape Town City Hall's turn to get lit up for Ukraine". News24. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  17. ^ "Cape Town mayor pledges solidarity with Ukraine". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  18. ^ "Premier Alan Winde on provincial cabinet's condemnation of Russia's Invasion". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  19. ^ Ukraine, South Africa discuss trade, economic cooperation, Interfax-Ukraine (September 16, 2009)
  20. ^ "Trade Balance Graph for 2014 – 2022". SARS. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
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