The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as a dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa, particularly southern Africa. South Africa is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Considered a possible permanent addition to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa was elected in 2006, 2010 and 2018 by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chair of the African Union from 2020 to 2021, the second time South Africa has chaired the organisation since its formation in 2003.

History

Pre-apartheid

South Africa, as a key member of the British Empire and Commonwealth as a Dominion, fought alongside the United Kingdom and the Allies in both World War I and World War II, and it participated in the postwar UN force in the Korean War. South Africa was a founding member of the League of Nations and in 1927 established a Department of External Affairs with diplomatic missions in the main Western European countries and in the United States.

Apartheid (1948–1994)

South Africa introduced apartheid in 1948, as a systematic extension of pre-existing racial discrimination in the country. As a result, the country became increasingly isolated internationally until apartheid was abolished in 1991 and racial equality introduced between 1990 and 1993. This transition produced a change in South Africa's foreign policy. The country stopped trying to regain regional hegemony and started to behave as a central hub for co-operation as a regional unipole.

Post-apartheid (since 1994) Having emerged from the international isolation of the apartheid era, South Africa has become a leading international actor. Its principal foreign policy objective is to develop good relations with all countries, especially its neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (*-see note below) and the other members of the African Union. South Africa has played a key role in seeking an end to various conflicts and political crises on the African continent, including in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Comoros, and Zimbabwe. In August 1998, South Africa assumed the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, which it relinquished in July 2002.

Eswatini has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi kingdom.

Commonwealth of Nations

South Africa was a Dominion of the British Empire and the Commonwealth from 1910 until 1961.

South Africa was a republic outside the Commonwealth from 1961 to 1994, then it became a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations on 1 June 1994.

United Nations Security Council

South Africa was a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from October 2006 until 2008.

South African votes in the UNSC have not been without controversy. In particular, a 'no' vote on a resolution criticising the Burmese government attracted widespread criticism.

Diplomatic relations List of countries which South Africa maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253545556575859606162636465666768697071727374757677787980818283848586—87888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145—146147148149150151152153154155156157158159—160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184—185186187188189

Bilateral relations Africa

State Formal relations beganNotes10 May 1994See Algeria–South Africa relations Algeria has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Algiers.27 May 1994See Angola–South Africa relations

South Africa relations are quite strong, as the ruling parties in both nations – the African National Congress in South Africa and the MPLA in Angola – fought together during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War. They fought against UNITA rebels, based in Angola, and the apartheid-era government in South Africa who supported them. Nelson Mandela mediated between the MPLA and UNITA factions during the last years of Angola's civil war. Angola has an embassy in Pretoria and consulates-general in Cape Town and Johannesburg. South Africa has an embassy in Luanda.22 June 1994See Botswana–South Africa relations Botswana has a high commission in Pretoria and consulates-general in Cape Town and Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Gaborone. See Egypt–South Africa relations Egypt has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Cairo.1 October 1993See Eswatini–South Africa relations Eswatini has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Mbabane.6 May 1994See Ghana–South Africa relations Ghana has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a high commission in Accra.12 April 1994See Kenya–South Africa relations Kenya has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a high commission in Nairobi.21 May 1992See Lesotho–South Africa relations Lesotho has a high commission in Pretoria and consulates-general in Cape Town and Durban and consulates in Klerksdorp and Welkom. South Africa has a high commission in Maseru.10 May 1994See Libya–South Africa relations Libya has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa is accredited to Libya from its embassy in Tunis, Tunisia.27 January 1994See Madagascar–South Africa relations Madagascar has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Antananarivo.10 September 1967See Malawi–South Africa relations

Since South Africa and Malawi had their first democratic elections in 1994, Malawi and South Africa have enhanced relations. In 2008, the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to enhance the relationship between the two countries through enhanced security cooperation.Country, Malawi to Enhance Defence Co-Operation by Bathandwa Mbola, BuaNews, 25 February 2008 Malawi has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Lilongwe.26 September 1993See Mozambique–South Africa relations Mozambique has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg and consulates in Cape Town, Durban and Nelspruit. South Africa has a high commission in Maputo.10 May 1994See Namibia–South Africa relations

Upon independence in 1990, Namibia's economy was still tied to South Africa's. To this day, the economy of Namibia is still closely contacted to South Africa through both institutional relationships (Southern African Customs Union, for example) and privately owned mining concessions. The South African rand is still legal currency within Namibia (while the Namibian dollar is not so in South Africa), and the currencies are traded on par locally. Namibia has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has a high commission in Windhoek. 10 May 1994See Nigeria–South Africa relations Nigeria has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Abuja and a consulate-general in Lagos.10 May 1994See South Africa–Zambia relations South Africa has a high commission in Lusaka. Zambia has a high commission in Pretoria 29 April 1994See South Africa–Zimbabwe relations

The Government of Zimbabwe took a particular interest in the search for independence for Namibia (South-West Africa) from South Africa. In addition, as chairman of the front-line states in southern Africa, Zimbabwe spoke out vigorously against the policies of apartheid in South Africa and frequently called for the imposition of economic sanctions against the government. However, whilst supporting democratic change in South Africa, Mugabe did not support the idea of Zimbabwe being used as a base for anti-South African guerrillas.US Department of State – Background Note: Zimbabwe. Retrieved 29 November 2008.

In recent years, following the political crisis in the country, the ex-president Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and Zanu PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism."Mbeki urges patience in Zimbabwe", National Post, 8 April 2008. Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and has urged the parties to form a unity government."Zuma says summit must "force" Zimbabwe deal", Reuters, 7 November 2008. South Africa has an embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg.

Americas

State Formal relations beganNotes26 June 2004Both countries have established diplomatic relations. Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.10 September 1947 (broke off 22 May 1986, Restored 8 August 1991)See Argentina–South Africa relations

Diplomatic relations were cut off in 1982 with the Falklands War. Full diplomatic relations between both countries were re-established in August 1991. Argentina has an embassy in Pretoria South Africa has an embassy in Buenos Aires. Both countries are members of the Cairns Group. List of Treaties ruling relations Argentina and South Africa (Argentine Foreign Ministry, in Spanish). South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Argentina.14 May 1997 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 May 1997. Belize does not have any representation in South Africa. South Africa is represented in Belize by its High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica.1967See Bolivia–South Africa relations

Bolivia maintains an honorary consulate in Johannesburg. South Africa is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.28 October 1947See Brazil–South Africa relations

Brazil has provided military assistance to South Africa in the form of warfare training and logistics. Bilateral relations between the countries have recently increased, as a result of Brazil's new South-South foreign policy aimed to strengthen integration between the major powers of the developing world.11 September 1939See Canada–South Africa relations

Canada established its diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1939, along with other nations, due to the outbreak of World War II. Canada actively encouraged the end of Apartheid in South Africa and the countries have had normal relations since then. The Constitution of South Africa was, in part, inspired by the Constitution of Canada, particularly the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Former South African President Nelson Mandela made an official state visit to Canada in September 1998. Mandela was made an honorary Canadian citizen, during his second visit to Canada. A 2003 visit by President Thabo Mbeki in November 2003, the Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to strengthen relations between the two countries. Canada has assisted South Africa in the areas of development (over $200 million) and the fight against AIDS in South Africa and to strengthen services provided by the Government of South Africa. Trade between the two countries totalled $1.8 billion in 2008. Canada has an high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has an high commission in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto. Canada and South Africa are both member states of the Commonwealth of Nations.11 May 1994See Cuba–South Africa relations

Cuba has an embassy in Pretoria.