Critical time for SA to assert itself in international relations
So far, Cyril Ramaphosa and minister Lindiwe Sisulu have been striking the right notes
Given the forthcoming national and provincial elections, this year will inevitably be dominated by domestic politics. But 2019 should be a year in which SA capitalises on new international opportunities and carefully repositions itself as a credible and legitimate voice in global affairs. Earlier this month SA rejoined the UN Security Council for a two-year term as one of the 10 non-permanent members. This alone will put the country’s foreign policy under greater scrutiny — internationally, if not at home. President Cyril Ramaphosa and international relations minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s public postures in the final months of 2018 provided insight into how the sixth democratic government will position itself globally after the elections. They have set out to recapture SA’s moral authority and reacquire strategic global influence. The recent reversal at the UN General Assembly from abstaining to voting to condemn human rights abuses in Myanmar signals a decided reorientation of SA’s for...
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