South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended Pretoria’s non-aligned foreign policy during questions in Parliament. Tension with US persists over relations with China, Russia, and Iran, as well as trade.
Ramaphosa’s remarks come after US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III criticized South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy stance on X, referencing its engagements with China and Iran, including Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s visit to Beijing.
Answering questions during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) question and answer session on Thursday, Ramaphosa said South Africa’s foreign policy is grounded in the Constitution and guided by principles of human rights, peace, multilateralism and a rules-based international order.
He said the country engages globally on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference, adding that South Africa does not regard itself as having enemies.
”We don’t see ourselves as a country of enemies. We are a country that seeks to be at peace with all other countries and have good relations with all,” Ramaphosa said.
He said South Africa maintains diplomatic relations across different regions and political systems in pursuit of national interests and constructive global engagement, consistent with its non-aligned and strategically autonomous stance.
Ramaphosa said this approach allows the country to engage with both Western and Eastern powers, including the United States, China, Russia, Iran, and others, through bilateral and multilateral platforms aimed at dialogue, cooperation, and dispute resolution.
”This does not imply neutrality or disengagement, but rather an independent foreign policy that seeks to promote dialogue, cooperation and peaceful resolution of global challenges,” the president said.
Ramaphosa said the government will continue to engage international partners in a balanced and principled manner, including the United States, despite differences.
”Even in areas where we disagree, even in areas where we do agree, we continue to engage, because non-engagement does not serve any of us any good,” he noted.
He said South Africa values its long-standing relationship with the United States and continues cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, health, education and security.
Ramaphosa also defended South Africa’s participation in joint military exercises with various countries, saying such engagements are routine and not inconsistent with non-alignment. He said these exercises, conducted with countries including the United States, China and India, allow for the sharing of experience, capabilities and approaches to security and peacekeeping.
”We do from time to time have military or naval exercises with a number of countries, including the United States, including a number of Western countries, and countries that are in the East, India, China and many others,” Ramaphosa said.
The president said South Africa has not compromised its sovereignty or independence in its engagements, insisting that the country remains self-respecting and principled in its foreign relations. He said South Africa continues to play a constructive diplomatic role in global conflicts, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, where it maintains engagement with both sides.
”We are one of those very few countries that has been able to do a number of things to give assistance to the resolution of the conflict,” he noted, adding that South Africa is often able to engage with parties on both sides of international conflicts, and is sometimes asked to pass on messages between them.
He also stressed South Africa’s non-aligned stance allows it to engage widely on trade disputes, including tariff measures imposed by major economies.
”We have decided to turbocharge our economic diplomacy and reach out to many countries around the world with a view of establishing sustainable trade relations with them,” he said.
Ramaphosa said South Africa’s participation in international organisations such as BRICS, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement is voluntary and based on national interest.
Responding to criticism that South Africa is not consistent in its approach to authoritarian states, Ramaphosa said foreign policy is guided by constitutional values but applied using different diplomatic instruments depending on context. He noted the government does not remain silent on issues of principle, particularly where human rights are concerned, including recalling South Africa’s history under apartheid.
”We will not be quiet. We will speak up,” the president said, adding that South Africa’s approach is deliberate, flexible and aimed at resolving disputes through engagement rather than confrontation.
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