South Africa’s new foreign minister commits to Palestinian rights

Ronald Lamola pledges action within global institutions and reform of international governance

JOHANNESBURG:

South Africa’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated Thursday that the country will continue to act within global institutions to protect Palestinian rights and ensure the fair application of international law.

In his first public discussion on foreign policy since his appointment, Lamola emphasised South Africa's commitment to preserving the existence of the Palestinian people. "South Africa will continue to do everything within its power to preserve the existence of the Palestinian people as a group," he said.

Lamola pledged that South Africa would work with global institutions to end all acts of apartheid and genocide against Palestinians. He stressed the country's support for Palestinian self-determination, informed by South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The former minister of justice and correctional services highlighted South Africa's ongoing efforts to raise the plight of Palestinians through various multilateral platforms, including the UN, and called for increased humanitarian aid for Gaza. He noted that South Africa led the referral by six states on the situation in Palestine to the International Criminal Court.

Lamola reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to supporting the people of Western Sahara in their quest for self-determination. He urged the UN to take urgent steps toward holding the long-promised referendum on the self-determination of the disputed region.

Multilateralism remains a key policy for South Africa, Lamola said, as the country leverages its membership in international forums to advance the African agenda and promote a more rules-based, just, and equitable world.

Lamola also called for the reform of global governance institutions, such as the UN Security Council, which he said does not reflect current global political and economic realities and needs to be more representative and responsive to the needs of the Global South.