Alameen Templeton
The world must stand in “collective solidarity” to call on apartheid Israel to stop the Gaza genocide, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has told black congressmen in the United States.
Lamola, who is on a seven-day visit to the US, told the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Wednesday night South Africa would continue championing the rights of Palestinians despite threats coming “from across the globe”.
Africa’s vulnerable economies were always the first to feel the effects of conflicts like Ukraine that have pushed up food prices, particularly to basic foodstuffs like sunflower oil and wheat, he said.
“Because we in the African continent, whenever there are challenges in many parts of the globe, we suffer the most – in terms of the value chain of food, in terms of various value chains that effect the economy of the world,” Lamola explained.
‘Respect, not threats’
Referencing threats several senior congressmen and US politicians have made against court officials investigating Israel for war crimes and against countries opposing the Gaza genocide, Lamola called on ties between SA and the US to be based on “mutual respect and not threats”.
South Africa was firmly committed to pursuing multilateralism in support of UN platforms and the UN Charter and this conviction enthused its participation in all the forums that it is part of, be it the G20, BRICS or any other engagement, Lamola emphasised.
He was echoing a call made by China’s Foreign Minister, Dong Jun, who last Friday said US-led conflicts like the Gaza genocide and the Ukraine war could only be resolved through multilateral forms.
South Africa remained unbowed in its determination to support the Palestinian struggle, despite the threats, Lamola added.
“And it is against this background that we continue to call for the collective conscience of the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine to call Israel to stop the genocide that is currently unfolding.
“The Irish and ourselves have spoken on this and we will continue to do so despite threats that come from across the globe, because we believe we are standing on principal. The future of the world depends on the rule of law being protected by all nations of the world,” Lamola said.
“But we continue to champion human rights. In Gaza, we stand with the people of Palestine. As you are aware, this has been the historic position of the South African government, informed by President Mandela when he said that South Africa will not be free until the people of Palestine are free.
‘Beyond self-defence’
“But South Africa took a decision when the whole world was quiet and said, after the seventh of October, we said we condemn what happened to the people of Israel on the seventh of October and we condemn it in the strongest terms.
“We also called for the release of all the hostages. We also said that the state of Israel’s response to the incident on the seventh of October is disproportionate to the offence committed. It is going beyond self-defence, as predicated by international law.
“And, it is against this background that we went to the International Court of Justice to call for the state of Israel to cease fire, to stop the maiming and destruction of innocent women and children, to stop the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Palestine.
“The International Court of Justice took a resolution and indicated that the state of Israel should cease its military operation, it should cease destruction of infrastructure. Despite the court ruling, the state of Israel continued to do so.
This ethos of multilateralism should be implemented to solve the world’s conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, he added.
‘Unlawful occupation not allowed’
“We also continue to call for, as we have said, with regards to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, South Africa believes that our non-aligned position is the catalyst for peace and democratic engagement and negotiation.
“We also in this regard are unequivocal on the sovereignty and independence of all nations under the UN Charter. And we have also been very clear as a country that unlawful occupation should in terms of the UN Charter not be allowed.
“And as a country, we call on Russia and Ukraine to engage and find each other in this ongoing dispute.
“So, it is in our interests as a non-aligned Republic of South Africa, we continue to engage and call on all the warring parties to engage to find each other in all global conflicts.
UN’s key role
“It is against this background that we continue to participate in multilateral fora and platforms to call for the UN Charter to be respected. And, as a country, we believe in multilateralism and that these platforms of the United Nations are the better platforms to resolve all conflicts.
“All the platforms that we participate in in relation to multilateral platforms, we see them as reinforcing the role of the United Nations. Whether it is the G20, whether its BRICS, whether it’s focus, and all the platforms that we seek, we see them as playing a role to reinforce the key role of the multilateral institutions of the United Nations.
“And it is against this background that we continue to call for the reform of the UN, which we believe is an important platform. But it needs to embrace developing nations, particularly from the African continent. And, in this regard, we also continue to call for the reform of the Security Council of the United Nations.
‘Equal partners’
“I want to conclude with our relationship with the United States. South Africa’s relations with the US are based on strong historical and economical people-to-people ties. We share a common struggle for racial and economic justice born out of experiences of segregation and apartheid.
“The ties of solidarity and bonds of friendship that we forged between the civil rights and anti-apartheid movement during those difficult times are enduring and should be revived as we are continuing the fight to eliminate poverty and address high levels of unemployment and inequality and for economic inclusion and security.
“Differences should not be based on threats; it should be based on mutual respect because we believe our relationship with the US is mutually beneficial … when there are differences, let us engage, let us find each other, but we must accept that in certain differences we may agree to disagree.
“But we believe that if we stick with principle, guided by the UN Charter, by various platforms of multilateral relations, we will be able to chart a way forward, even bilaterally, with the United States of America. The US is South Africa’s third-biggest trade and investment partner.
“South Africa enjoys strategic relations with the US and has strong political, economic, and social ties. Bilateral cooperation with the US covers various issues aligned with South Africa’s domestic priorities and the National Development Plan.
“The US is also the leading source of foreign direct investment, a market for value-added exports and agri-products, technology transfer, development assistance, investment finance, skills development, and tourism for South Africa, thus making a significant contribution to supporting Government efforts to reduce poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
Lamola is also due to meet business stakeholders, including the US Chamber of Commerce, and will participate in a panel discussion on US-SA relations at George Washington University.
He will also meet the Quincy Institute Responsible for State Craft and attend a meeting with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings