https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240202/what-drives-certain-countries-to-seek-political-influence-on-south-africa-expert-explains-1064889932.html
What Drives Certain Countries to Seek Political Influence on South Africa? Expert Explains
What Drives Certain Countries to Seek Political Influence on South Africa? Expert Explains
Sputnik Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday warned of possible foreign interference in the outcome of the country's general elections, due later this... 02.02.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-02-02T15:06+0100
2024-02-02T15:06+0100
2024-02-02T15:06+0100
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africa insight
cyril ramaphosa
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It is expected that some countries will seek to politically influence South Africa's foreign policy because of Pretoria's position on Russia's conflict with Ukraine and its stance on Gaza conflict, Ovigwe Eguegu, a Nigerian рolicy advisor at African-led consultancy Develoрment Reimagined, told Sputnik Africa.The analyst argued that South Africa has been "in the spotlight of international politics" since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict, as it abstained from UN General Assembly votes on the issue, "citing the lack of emphasis on political dialogue in the draft resolutions."Moreover, Pretoria refuses to let its ties with Moscow be affected as certain countries "seek to isolate Russia," the advisor opined.In addition to the position on Russia, South Africa's "leading role" in the case against Israel at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) brings a motive for some countries to politically influence Pretoria, the expert revealed.Last Friday, the ICJ ordered interim measures in South Africa's case against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza, ordering Tel Aviv to take urgent measures to prevent acts of genocide and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave.Besides, South Africa's neutral position between Russia and the West regarding the Ukrainian conflict, as South African President Ramaphosa emphasized in May 2023, has been the fuel for "extraordinary pressure" on Pretoria to choose one side or the other.
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africa insight, cyril ramaphosa, south africa, pretoria, russia, international court of justice (icj), southern africa, israel, gaza, palestine, israeli-palestinian conflict, ukraine
africa insight, cyril ramaphosa, south africa, pretoria, russia, international court of justice (icj), southern africa, israel, gaza, palestine, israeli-palestinian conflict, ukraine
What Drives Certain Countries to Seek Political Influence on South Africa? Expert Explains
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday warned of possible foreign interference in the outcome of the country's general elections, due later this year, to counter the ruling African National Congress party. Sputnik Africa turned to an analyst to find out why some states are trying to resist Pretoria's strengthening position.
It is expected that some countries will seek to politically influence South Africa's foreign policy because of Pretoria's position on Russia's conflict with Ukraine and its stance on Gaza conflict, Ovigwe Eguegu, a Nigerian рolicy advisor at African-led consultancy Develoрment Reimagined, told Sputnik Africa.
The analyst argued that South Africa
has been "in the spotlight of international politics" since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict, as it abstained from UN General Assembly votes on the issue, "citing the lack of emphasis on political dialogue in the draft resolutions."
Moreover, Pretoria refuses to let its ties with Moscow be affected as certain countries "seek to isolate Russia," the advisor opined.
"Close high-level diplomatic contacts as well as the joint naval exercise South Africa hosted alongside China and Russia in February of 2023 are testament of this," Eguegu said.
In addition to the position on Russia, South Africa's "leading role"
in the case against Israel at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) brings a motive for some countries to politically influence Pretoria, the expert revealed.
"With all this as context, it is within reason to expect that some of the countries that are opposed to South Africa's foreign policy have the means and motive to target it for political influence operation," he emphasized.
Last Friday, the ICJ ordered interim measures in South Africa's case against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza, ordering Tel Aviv to take urgent measures to prevent acts of genocide and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Countries like Brazil, Iran, Malaysia, Turkey and Venezuela have backed South Africa's suit. The US State Department, on the other hand, has told Sputnik that Washington considers the genocide accusations brought against Israel "unfounded."
Besides, South Africa's neutral position between Russia and the West regarding the Ukrainian conflict, as South African President Ramaphosa emphasized in May 2023, has been the fuel for "extraordinary pressure" on Pretoria to choose one side or the other.
