President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, labelling them as “atrocities” and reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to securing a sovereign Palestinian state.
His remarks were a key part of his political report delivered at the African National Congress (ANC) National General Council (NGC) in Boksburg on Monday.
While the speech addressed a wide range of domestic issues, from the economy to the party’s own renewal, Ramaphosa dedicated significant attention to the global stage.
He highlighted South Africa’s role in international diplomacy, particularly its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “The atrocities committed by Israel against the people of Gaza prompted our government to argue before the International Court of Justice that the State of Israel was in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention,” Ramaphosa stated.
He noted that over 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023. While acknowledging a ceasefire agreement, he expressed deep concern over its fragility.
“It is a matter of grave concern that Israel is breaking the ceasefire almost daily,” he said. Ramaphosa’s call was unequivocal: an immediate end to the violence and the start of meaningful negotiations.
He emphasised that “anything short of achievement of self-determination and recognition of the fundamental human rights of the Palestine people will not be acceptable and will not bring peace to the region.”
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A failing global order
The president’s address also critiqued the effectiveness of global institutions in managing international conflicts. He pointed to the devastating civil war in Sudan, where over 150,000 people have died, as a “human catastrophe that the world cannot ignore”.
Ramaphosa argued that these conflicts expose the severe shortcomings of bodies like the United Nations Security Council. He described the council as “incapable in its current form of fulfilling its mandate” and called for its urgent reform to be more representative and inclusive.
The NGC, a mid-term review of the party’s policies and progress, is taking place amidst internal and external pressures. The event began despite a small picket by disgruntled ANC staffers over unpaid salaries, and against a backdrop of political rumours about the stability of Ramaphosa’s leadership, which the party has dismissed.
The broader political context includes South Africa’s recent diplomatic moves, such as the revocation of a visa-waiver for Palestinian passport holders following an investigation into a charter flight from Gaza.
Despite these challenges, Ramaphosa used his speech to position South Africa as a key player in promoting a just and peaceful international order. He stressed that the nation’s efforts are guided by a commitment to diplomacy, dialogue, and respect for the sovereignty of all states.
Image via X/African National Congress (ANC).
