CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — It was a historic day for South Africa. The political party that ended the racially divisive era of apartheid and raised global hopes with a vibrant new democracy has lost its grip on power for three decades, according to Saturday’s election results.
For the first time, the African National Congress will have to form a coalition to govern South Africa, whose role on the world stage is growing as it takes Israel to court over its actions in Gaza and belatedly assumes the presidency of the Group of 20 countries takes. this year.
This is what lies ahead for a leading voice for the developing world after the ANC loses its dominance at home.
CHALLENGING ISRAEL ON GAZA
South Africa has become the most visible critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing the country of genocide in a case at the International Court of Justice, the UN’s highest court.
The case has been largely inspired by the ANC, which has long identified with the Palestinian cause and sees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank uncomfortable parallels with the distant “homelands” created for South Africa’s black population by the former white-controlled government under the brutal system of apartheid.
Israel strongly denies the accusations of genocide. The ANC’s loss of its parliamentary majority in this week’s elections made news in Israel.
The case at the World Court could drag on for years, meaning a new South African coalition government will inherit the case. The ANC is likely to strike a governing deal with one or more of South Africa’s three main opposition parties – the centrist Democratic Alliance, the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters and former president Jacob Zuma’s populist New MK Party.
The Democratic Alliance, which received about 21% of the vote, has said it disagrees with the genocide case against Israel and would prefer to see South Africa push for a mediated solution in the war between Israel and Hamas. The EFF is seen as at least as pro-Palestinian as the ANC and has also accused Israel of genocide. The position of the MK party, which was formed late last year, is not clear.
The G20 presidency is on the horizon
South Africa has long been seen as a leading representative of the African continent in the world, and on December 1 the country will take over the prominent presidency of the Group of 20 countries – 20 leading rich and developing countries. South Africa will take over from Brazil, which is using its presidency to push for greater representation of developing countries on the world stage.
South Africa is the only African country in the G20. The ANC and its new governing partner(s) will need to look beyond South African politics and find common ground on pressing global issues such as climate change, conflict and reform of international financial institutions.
“Regardless of the election outcome, deep-rooted elements of South Africa’s foreign policy will remain, such as standing up for the rights of Palestinians and calling for reforms of international institutions to better reflect the priorities of African states,” wrote Michelle Gavin last month before the elections. Council on Foreign Relations.
AND THEN THERE IS RUSSIA
South African diplomacy under the ANC has drawn attention to its historic pro-Moscow stance, which persisted after Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. While the United States and others in the West have long recognized the ANC’s ties to Russia – going back to the struggle against apartheid – the US-South Africa relationship came under serious strain when the ANC government allowed Russian and Chinese warships to conduct exercises from its territory. coast in early 2023.
The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has been strongly critical of the ANC’s relationship with Russia, accusing the country of abandoning its claimed position of non-alignment and neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine and increased tensions between Russia and Russia. to betray the West.
Gavin suggested an “unstable” governing coalition could damage South Africa as a gateway for foreign investors and “push the country even closer to Russia and China.”
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