South Africa’s grand coalition government, which has surprised sceptics by holding together, is facing a foreign policy standoff between the two largest parties.
Clashes over three contentious foreign policy issues — Russia, China, and Israel — have highlighted deep ideological differences between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, raising concerns about the coalition’s long-term survival.
During a summit of the Brics countries in Kazan, President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Russia’s Vladimir Putin as a “valued ally” and “valued friend” of South Africa. This statement drew criticism from John Steenhuisen, the DA’s leader and Minister of Agriculture, who condemned Putin’s “authoritarian regime” and its actions in Ukraine.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson defended the president’s stance, citing historic ties between the ANC and Soviet Russia during the apartheid era.
The government’s inconsistent foreign policy, which refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while pursuing a case against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza, has sparked accusations of double standards.
Analysts have pointed out that South Africa’s foreign policy lacks consistency and fails to prioritize human rights in its dealings with authoritarian regimes.
The DA’s spokesperson on international relations emphasized the need for consensus within the cabinet to ensure a coherent foreign policy approach.
While disagreements over foreign policy have strained relations between coalition partners, both parties are committed to finding common ground and maintaining the unity government.
Despite tensions, the coalition government aims to navigate foreign policy challenges with a nuanced approach that respects differing viewpoints.