President Cyril Ramaphosa says following the outbreak of Russia-Ukraine conflict, there has been extraordinary pressure on South Africa to abandon its non-aligned position and take sides in what is in effect a contest between Russia and the West.

However, the president maintained that since the advent of democracy nearly 30 years ago, SA has pursued an independent foreign policy and would not be pressured otherwise.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa hailed one of the most impressive features of the international anti-apartheid movement, citing that it drew support from countries and citizens from across continental and ideological divides.

“The struggle to end apartheid was taken up in capitals from Africa to Europe, from the Americas to Asia. Our leaders worked hard to gain the support of governments, lawmakers and citizens across the divisions of the Cold War,” he said.

The experience of reaching out across political divides and building relations with very different countries has helped to shape SA’s foreign policy, he said. This has been coupled with a firm belief in the value of an inclusive multilateral world order and the peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue.

“This explains South Africa’s membership of the non-aligned movement, a forum of 120 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. South Africa has also used its membership of other international forums like the G20 and Brics group to advance the views and interests of countries in Africa and the rest of the global south.”

Ramaphosa reiterated that other countries on the African continent and elsewhere have been put under similar pressure, but that South Africa remained firm on this point. South Africa has not been, and will not be, drawn into a contest between global powers, he said.

“That does not mean that we do not have a position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Consistent with our stance on conflicts in other parts of the world, South Africa’s view is that the international community needs to work together to urgently achieve a cessation of hostilities and to prevent further loss of life and displacement of civilians in Ukraine.

“It needs to support meaningful dialogue towards a lasting peace, which ensures the security and stability of all nations,” he said.

We do not accept that our non-aligned position favours Russia above other countries nor do we accept that it should imperil our relations with other countries

President Cyril Ramaphosa

As a country, SA is committed to the articles of the UN Charter, including the principle that all members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means, he said.