Foreign relations of South Africa
The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as Dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under Apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa, particularly Southern Africa.
South Africa is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Considered a possible permanent addition to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa was elected in 2006 and again in 2010 by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council, which it did until 31 December 2012.Since, South Africa as also been elected as member of the UNSC for the 2019-2020 period. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is the current chair of the African Union, the second time South Africa has chaired the organisation since its formation in 2003.
History
Pre-Apartheid
South Africa, as a key member of the British Empire and Commonwealth as a Dominion, 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
South Africa introduced apartheid in 1948, as a systematic extension of pre-existing racial discrimination in the country. As a result, the country became increasingly isolated internationally until apartheid was abolished in 1991 and racial equality introduced between 1990–1993. This transition produced a change in South Africa's foreign policy. The country stopped trying to regain regional hegemony and started to behave as a central hub for co-operation as a regional unipole.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.Eswatini 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.
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 Africa realised that the 'no' vote would be defeated.
South Africa was once again a non-permanent member of the Security Council between 2010 & 2012.
Africa
| State | Formal relations began | Notes |
| See Algeria–South Africa relations | ||
See Angola–South Africa relationsSouth 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.
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| See Botswana–South Africa relations | ||
| May 1995 | ||
| 23 June 1995 | ||
| 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 April 1994.
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| 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 August 1993.
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| See Egypt–South Africa relations | ||
| See Eswatini–South Africa relations | ||
| See Ghana–South Africa relations | ||
| 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 11, 1994.
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| See Kenya–South Africa relations | ||
| See Lesotho–South Africa relations | ||
| See Libya–South Africa relations | ||
| 1994 | See Madagascar–South Africa relations | |
See Malawi–South Africa relationsSince 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.
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| 1995 | ||
| See Mozambique–South Africa relations | ||
See Namibia–South Africa relationsUpon 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 and privately owned mining concessions. The South African rand is still legal currency within Namibia, and the currencies are traded on par locally.
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| See Nigeria–South Africa relations | ||
| 1994 | ||
| 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in August 1998.
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| 1997 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 13, 1997.
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| See South Africa–Zambia relations | ||
| See South Africa–Zimbabwe relationsThe Government of Zimbabwe took a particular interest in the search for independence for Namibia 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 democratic 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.
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Americas
| State | Formal relations began | Notes |
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| See Argentina–South Africa relations | ||
| 14 May 1997 | ||
| See Bolivia–South Africa relations | ||
| See Brazil–South Africa relationsBrazil 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 between the major powers of the developing world. | ||
| See 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 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. Canada and South Africa are both member states of the Commonwealth of Nations. | ||
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| See Cuba–South Africa relations | ||
| Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Diplomatic relations were established on 29 April 1998. | ||
| 4 November 1994 |
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| 26 October 1993 | See Mexico–South Africa relationsThere were no official relations between Mexico and South Africa before 1993. After the birth of democracy in South Africa, the countries established relations.
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| 10-01-1995 | ||
| 1995 | ||
| January 10 1995 | See South Africa-Trinidad and Tobago relationsRelations between Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa started after the apartheid ended. South Africa has a High Commission in Port of Spain and Trinidad and Tobago has a High Commission in Pretoria | |
| 1799 | See South Africa–United States relations The United States has maintained an official presence in South Africa since 1799, when a US consulate was opened in Cape Town. The US Embassy is located in Pretoria, and consulates general are in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. South Africans and the US also have many non-governmental ties: US missionaries, for example, have a long history of activity in South Africa. South Africans also acknowledge support from and ties to the anti-apartheid movement in the US. | |
See South Africa–Uruguay relations
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Asia
| State | Formal relations began | Notes |
| 1993 | ||
| 1998 | See China–South Africa relations | |
| See 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. | ||
See Indonesia–South Africa relations
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| See Iran–South Africa relationsSouth 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. | ||
| See 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. | ||
| 1910 | See Japan–South Africa relations
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| 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. | |
| 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 July 1994. | |
| See Pakistan–South Africa relations | ||
| 10 May 1994 | See Qatar–South Africa relations | |
| 1 December 1992 | See Foreign relations of South Korea
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| See Sri Lanka–South Africa relations | ||
| See South Africa–Taiwan relations | ||
Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 5, 1992. | ||
| 1991 | See South Africa–Turkey relations
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Europe
Oceania
South Africa and the Commonwealth of Nations
South Africa was a Dominion of the British Empire and the Commonwealth from 1910 until 1961.South Africa was a republic outside the Commonwealth from 1961 to 1994, then it became a Commonwealth republic on 1 June 1994.
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