French ambassador to SA believes Ramaphosa's SONA set the right tone on foreign interference into domestic matters

CAPE TOWN - French ambassador to South Africa, Malawi and Lesotho, David Martinon believes President Cyril Ramaphosa has set the right tone in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on how government plans will deal with foreign nations that look to assert themselves over South Africa.

WATCH: 'We will not be bullied' - Cyril Ramaphosa at SONA 2025

He said his government is looking forward to the upcoming G20 foreign and finance ministers meetings where he will also participate. 

Martinon said South Africa has chosen an apt theme for its G20 presidency, of solidarity, equality and sustainability and said it plans to be extremely supportive of its work this year. 

Martinon said a video posted online this week of him and some of his European counterparts, in which they assert their support for working with South Africa was not directed at United States (US) President Donald Trump after he issued an executive order against the country a week ago. 

“Us, Europeans and South Africans, we have so much in common when it comes to foreign policy. Sometimes we have nuances, sometimes we have dialogue that sometimes can be more difficult than other times, but we are obvious partners and allies.”

Martinon, who worked on France’s conceptualisation plan for expanding the G7 to the G20 said the French government is excited for South Africa to be the first African nation to host the gathering.  

“We are absolutely convinced that the priorities that have been defined by South Africa, are the right ones, and we will be extremely supportive of the work of the South African presidency.” 

Martinon said the G20 has already proven to be a valuable platform on many economic issues - especially in these globally turbulent times.