Ramaphosa defends South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy amid US tensions

President Cyril Ramaphosa defended South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) question-and-answer session, saying it enables engagement with major powers while protecting the country’s sovereignty and promoting peaceful dispute resolution.

Non-alignment as a guiding principle

Ramaphosa said South Africa’s foreign policy is grounded in the Constitution and guided by principles of human rights, peace, multilateralism and a rules-based international order. He told the NCOP the country engages globally on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference.

Engagement across regions and political systems

Explaining the practical effects of non-alignment, Ramaphosa said the stance allows South Africa to maintain diplomatic relations with a range of countries in pursuit of national interests and constructive global engagement. He said this approach enables engagement with both Western and Eastern powers, citing the United States, China, Russia and Iran.

Dialogue, not disengagement

Ramaphosa stressed that non-alignment “does not imply neutrality or disengagement, but rather an independent foreign policy that seeks to promote dialogue, cooperation and peaceful resolution of global challenges.” He added that the government will continue to engage international partners in a “balanced and principled manner, including the United States, despite differences.”

Cooperation, military exercises and trade

Addressing criticism about South Africa’s international partnerships, Ramaphosa defended the country’s participation in joint military exercises, describing them as routine and consistent with non-alignment. He said such exercises with countries including the United States, China and India allow for the sharing of experience and approaches to security and peacekeeping.

On economic diplomacy, Ramaphosa said the government has “decided to turbocharge our economic diplomacy” to respond to global tariff pressures and to expand and strengthen trade relations.

Diplomacy in conflict and principle

Ramaphosa said South Africa remains engaged in efforts to address global conflicts and that the country can engage with parties on both sides of disputes, citing the Russia–Ukraine war as an example where South Africa has maintained contact with both sides and provided assistance toward resolution.

On human rights and authoritarian states, he said foreign policy is guided by constitutional values but applied using different diplomatic instruments depending on the context, adding:

“We will not be quiet. We will speak up.”

Ramaphosa concluded that South Africa has not compromised its sovereignty or independence in its international engagements and that non-engagement serves no country well.