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Egypt–South Africa relations

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Egyptian-South African relations
Map indicating locations of Egypt and South Africa

Egypt
South Africa

Egypt-South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between of Egypt and South Africa. The first South African mission in Egypt was established in 1942 as a Consulate-General. Egypt maintained diplomatic relations with South Africa until 1961.[1]

Egypt enforced all the international sanctions on the South African Government. After 1979, unofficial relations and military tensions were eased. Ambassadors were exchanged only in 1990. Egypt has an embassy in Pretoria and South Africa has an embassy in Cairo. Both countries are full members of the African Union, G-24, Group of 77, Non-Aligned Movement and BRICS(since 2024).

History

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Under British colonialism, a project was proposed to connect the capitals of Egypt and South Africa. The first South African Mission in Egypt was established in 1942 as a Consulate-General, converted to a Legation during 1949. South Africa's recognition of Israel in 1948 angered the Egyptian government, which had fought a war with Israel that year.[1] Relations changed after the 1952 revolution in Egypt, as the Egyptian president Gamal Abdul Nasser began supporting African liberation movements after the Bandung Conference.[2] In 1960, official relations were suspended as Egypt, then a part of the United Arab Republic, supported the anti-apartheid movement. Relations were hostile between the apartheid government and the government of Egypt's president, Gamal Abdul Nasser, as Nasserist ideas were an inspiration to the anti-apartheid movement.[3] Nelson Mandela was personally inspired by Nasserism, seeing it as a model for his party, the African National Congress. Nasser's successor, Anwar Sadat, focused Egyptian foreign policy efforts to the Israeli-Egyptian peace process, allowing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to substitute Arab support for the anti-apartheid movement. However, Egypt would continue to support the anti-apartheid movement, supporting sanctions on South Africa until the end of apartheid.[4] Egyptian politician Boutros Boutros-Ghali helped negotiate for the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.[5] Egypt was the first country Mandela visited since becoming President of South Africa after the end of apartheid.[6][7] Today, both countries boast positive bilateral relations, having signed an extradition treaty in 2002, and focused on increasing trade between the two nations.[8][9][10] Egypt has also joined BRICS in 2024, an economic relationship between Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.[11][12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bishku, Michael B. (Fall 2010). "South Africa and the Middle East". Middle East Policy Council. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Moses Kotane, South African Revolutionary by Brian Bunting". www.marxists.org. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  3. ^ "The Arabs and the Southern African Problem on JSTOR". www.jstor.org. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Egypt formally ends economic sanctions against South Africa - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  5. ^ ANDERSON, JACK; ATTA, DALE VAN (13 February 1990). "EGYPTIAN AIDED MANDELA'S RELEASE". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. ^ "CNN - Mandela, Mubarak exchange awards - October 21, 1997". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Nelson Mandela - Speeches - Address by President Nelson Mandela on receiving the Collar of the Nile award by President Hosni Mubarak, Cairo - Egypt". www.mandela.gov.za. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Egypt, S. Africa committed to advancing bilateral, continental cooperation as they resume joint committee - Foreign Affairs - Egypt". Ahram Online. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Egypt In-focus: Egypt, South Africa sign deal to boost ties; Cairo reveals plans to promote clean energy projects". Arab News. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Extradition Act: Extradition Treaty between South Africa and Egypt | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  11. ^ "BRICS & Egypt: An Opportunity to Begin Creating an Alternative Economic System | Al Jazeera Centre for Studies". studies.aljazeera.net. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Partnering with the BRICS - Opinion - Al-Ahram Weekly". Ahram Online. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
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