South Africa to continue advocating for Palestinian rights, says new foreign minister

By Hassan Isilow

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

Speaking in his first public discussion on foreign policy in Cape Town since his appointment earlier this month, Lamola said: "South Africa will continue to do everything within its power to preserve the existence of the Palestinian people as a group."

He also said the country will work with global institutions to ensure the end of all acts of apartheid and genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian people.

Lamola said South Africa will walk with Palestinians toward the realization of their collective right to self-determination and this is informed by the country’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The top diplomat, who previously served as the minister of justice and correctional services, said South Africa continues to raise the plight of the Palestinians through various multilateral platforms, including the UN, calling for access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

He said South Africa also led the referral by six states on the situation in Palestine to the International Criminal Court.

“As our foreign policy is anchored on our history of solidarity with those struggling against oppression and occupation, we will continue to support the people of Western Sahara in their quest for self-determination,’’ said Lamola.

The minister also called on the UN to take urgent steps toward holding the long-promised referendum on the self-determination of the disputed Western Sahara region.

He said multilateralism is another key policy of South Africa which has capitalized on its membership in several international forums to advance the African agenda and work toward creating a more rules-based multilateral system and a more just and equitable world.

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