South Africa’s foreign policy on Africa needs a revamp

of old fault lines. Anglophones were pitted against francophones, Southern Africa against West Africa and democratic countries against those in transition.

While Mr Ramaphosa is a pragmatist who aims to advance South Africa’s interests, the dominant line of thinking in the party and among diplomats is reflected in the ANC policy document. Whereas most African countries have adopted an increasingly realist foreign policy based on transactional considerations, the ANC remains stuck in liberation struggle ideology.

South Africa’s natural leadership role in Africa is unmatched by its would-be competitors. No other African big state has its unique mix of attributes, from economic might to a liberal democratic orientation. Former president Thabo Mbeki’s foreign policy had a decisive African agenda deeply rooted in a vision supported by strategic thinking. But the country today seems to have lost its capacity to understand and cooperate with its African peers.

South Africa’s economic diplomacy in Africa is a potential strong point if it can be crafted as a mutually beneficial project. The core of the problem is the progressive loss of soft power since the end of the Mbeki presidency. Global prestige and status – which South Africa has – do confer soft power, but it’s equally necessary for a country to generate and live up to a common vision shared by its peers.

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