Lamola says despite GNU, SA's foreign policy remains clear

JOHANNESBURG - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says there's no ambiguity within the Government of National Unity (GNU) on the country's foreign policy. 

He also said there have been no contradictions expressed by ministers from the various parties at international forums. 

Last month, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen took exception to President Cyril Ramaphosa referring to Russia as an ally of South Africa when he met President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

Lamola said the government's foreign policy remains unchanged and is guided by the Constitution, the national interest document, the Foreign Services Act, and the National Development Plan.  

READ: Govt stands by its foreign policy position of non-alignment - Lamola

He said in deciding who to deploy to international gatherings such as the recent Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), relevant portfolios and not political affiliation are taken into consideration. 

Agriculture Minister Steenhuisen was part of the FOCAC delegation, despite the DA not aligning with the governments of China or Russia whom the African National Congress (ANC) views as allies.
  
"We give them the mandate of the South African government, and this is what you are going to negotiate," said Lamola. 

He said despite the occasional barbs being traded on X between GNU partners, it's not impacted on government policy.  

"We've not had any contradiction, or anyone speaking outside the policy or the mandate of the South African government at the various forums that we’ve deployed. South Africa's foreign policy is not determined on Twitter [now x]," he said.

Lamola said the GNU's statement of intent is guided by the same documents that inform the country’s foreign policy.