Ramaphosa: SA will not be drawn into a contest between global powers

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: David Harrison)

PResident Cyril Ramaphosa sent a strong message to its Western allies that South Africa “will not be drawn into a contest between global powers”.

Speaking at Africa Day celebrations in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, on Thursday, Ramaphosa said the continent was too often drawn into conflicts far beyond its borders.

“That is why I will say it again today. South Africa has not and will not engage in any competition between global powers. Wherever there is conflict, we will maintain our position on the peaceful resolution of conflict.” Will continue to resist calls to abdicate.”

South Africa’s relations with the US, a major trading partner, have been strained since Pretoria took a non-aligned stance in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

This was exacerbated by recent public statements made by US Ambassador to South Africa Ruben Brighetti That country had sold weapons to Russia.

Defense Minister Thandi Modise has denied this, while Ramaphosa has opted to investigate the allegations through an investigation.

control the anc Washington sees the move as a strategy to pressure Pretoria into declaring a stand in the Russia-Ukraine war. South Africa is expected to host Russian leader Vladimir Putin At the annual summit of the BRICS countries in August, which includes Brazil, India and China.

Putin is expected to be part of a delegation of BRICS leaders to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, which will be hosted by South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor in June.

On Thursday, Ramaphosa said that some countries, including South Africa, were being “threatened with fines” for pursuing an “independent foreign policy” and adopting a position of non-alignment.

“As African countries, we have painful memories of times when proxy wars were waged on African soil by foreign superpowers,” he said.

“We have not forgotten the terrible, brutal legacy of our continent being first carved up and colonized by European nations, only to find ourselves once again on a chessboard during the Cold War. We cannot go back to that period of history. Going.”

He said Africa’s focus is on advancing the ideals of the Organization of African Unity and the founding charters of the African Union and giving effect to the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063.

“We have our eyes firmly fixed on the horizon as we work to achieve continental economic integration. The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a historic achievement. Very encouraged,” he said.

“This includes the introduction of small-scale trade in parts of East and West Africa; Training small businesses that are taking place on the new trade portals and leading to the operationalization of the $10 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund.”

Ramaphosa said South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to building peace on the continent and being part of efforts to resolve conflicts in regions such as the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Mozambique and Sudan.

“We use Africa Day to reaffirm the importance of strengthening democracy and strengthening good governance across Africa. The African Peer Review Mechanism will continue to have our full support and cooperation.

“This Africa Day, let us commit ourselves to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and to advancing national policies that advance gender equality, reduce poverty, bring sustainability to all aspects of our lives and mitigate the effects of climate change.” We do.”

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