Squabbles and infighting have continued to rock South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) due to fundamental differences in policy positions of the two largest parties in the coalition, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The latest round involves the country’s diplomatic relations with Russia. At a meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS summit in Russia, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that Pretoria considers Moscow a ‘valued friend’ and a ‘valued ally.’
This statement did not sit well with the DA, a fierce critic of the ANC until July, when it went into a coalition with the ANC and eight other parties.
DA leader John Steenhuisen, also the country’s agriculture minister, said his party does not consider Russia an ally, disagreeing with Ramaphosa’s statement. He claimed it could ‘jeopardise international relations and trade opportunities.’ He also decried that Ramaphosa had not consulted his coalition partners before issuing the statement.
However, the ANC has come to Ramaphosa’s defence. Party Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane argued that Steenhuisen does not understand how the coalition works. Mokonyane said the agreement between the parties showed Ramaphosa did not need to consult the DA regarding foreign policy issues.
In the last few weeks, the DA and the ANC have clashed over various policy matters, including health and labour laws. Many worry about the coalition’s instability, which they see as a marriage of convenience between parties with significant fundamental differences on almost every issue. The DA has historically taken a pro-West capitalist stance, while the ANC leans towards Global South organisations and allies. For instance, in 2023, the DA ridiculed BRICS as a mere ‘talk-shop’ unlikely to benefit South Africa.
Sources:
https://www.da.org.za/2023/10/anc-government-blows-r180-million-on-brics-talk-shop