South Africa both hasn't been involved into a struggle between world powers and doesn't plan to do so, as it will follow its own non-aligned policy, the country's president Cyril Ramaphosa stated while delivering a speech at an Africa Day celebration.
"South Africa has not been, and will not be, drawn into a contest between global powers. We will maintain our position on the peaceful resolution of conflict wherever those conflicts occur. Guided by the lessons of our history, we will continue to resist calls to abandon our independent and non-aligned foreign policy," the president said.
The president outlined that the African continent is currently being drawn into conflicts taking place outside of its borders, while some nations are under fear of sanctions for pursuing their own foreign policy and for taking a non-aligned stance.
"We are now also witnessing Africa being dragged into conflicts far beyond our own borders," noted the president. "Some countries, including our own, are being threatened with penalties for pursuing an independent foreign policy and for adopting a position of non-alignment."
He emphasized that African nations have not forgotten colonization times brought by Europeans, as well as proxy wars held on their territories by foreign powers.
"As African countries, we have painful memories of a time when proxy wars were waged on the soils of Africa by foreign superpowers," stated Ramaphosa. "We have not forgotten the terrible, brutal legacy of first having our continent carved up and colonised by European countries, only to find ourselves once more pawns on a chessboard during the Cold War."
At the same time, the president outlined that Africans are proud of their history and optimistic about their future.
"Despite the plunder of Africa’s resources to make other countries rich, Africa rose in defense of her liberty and independence. Today we are the rulers of our own lands," he outlined. "Despite conquest, colonialism, slavery, apartheid and the many acts of barbarism directed against Africans throughout history, we have prevailed."
Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on overall economic situation and lives of continent’s inhabitants, the president strongly emphasized that as the Africans could overcome the problems as they “came together and acted as one”.
"We know that when we are united, we can overcome even the greatest of difficulties. But this worst health emergency [COVID-19] in living memory did not destroy Africa, because Africans came together and acted as one. We learned as Africans that we have the means, the capacity and the political will to develop and implement solutions to Africa’s challenges. We learned the importance of collaboration between African countries, and that if we work together, we can rebuild our economies, restore hope to our people and chart a new future for Africa," Ramaphosa said.
He also underlined the importance of Africa Day as a testament to African strength, as Africans have already contributed much for the development of their countries and of the continent as a whole.
"We observe Africa Day to remind ourselves of the resilience we possess as Africans, which has taken us from where we have come into the future," noted the president.
Africa Day honors the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) 60 years ago and the African Union's transition into that organization 20 years ago. The subject of this year's Africa Month festivities is "Deepening the AU Vision for Unity for Africa through Prosperity, Peace and Modernity for a Better Africa and a Better World."
The event draws attention to the continent's advancement, regional integration, and potential provided by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA), as well as the natural, cultural, and human assets of Africa.
In order to achieve the realization of the continental plan, Agenda 2063, in modern times, Africa Day aims to improve the institutions and policies of the African Union.