No one dictates South Africa’s foreign policy – Zuma

No one dictates South Africa’s foreign policy – Zuma
Funke Atohengbe, Pretoria

South African President, Jacob Zuma says no country, lobbying group or individual dictates South Africa's foreign policy.

Speaking at a public lecture at the University of Pretoria, President Zuma said South Africa’s foreign policy is independent and decisions are reached based on national interest.

He said that South Africa's recognition of a one-China policy abided by international norms.

Criticism

Zuma's government has come under attack over its handling of the planned visit of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama for Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday celebrations.

Arch Bishop Tutu, opposition parties and civil society groups had sharply criticized the ANC- led government for denying the Tibetan spiritual leader visa, describing the denial as promoting the defunct apartheid tendencies and indirectly supporting the continued suppression of the people of Tibet by China, Pretoria’s major trading partner.
                                         
President Zuma said that Africa and the Southern Africa Development Community were the cornerstones of South Africa's foreign policy.

Zuma said the "partnership" between the world and Africa, especially the African Union, was “under strain" during the crisis in Libya.

"The AU and sub-regional bodies [in Africa] need the support of the UN and international bodies as a whole", he said.

Referring to the United Nations, he said it was unacceptable that the UN Security Council did not have permanent members from Africa and South America.

"Africa and Latin America are not represented as permanent members on the Security Council. This is a negative anomaly", Zuma said.

The South African President therefore called for a reform of the UN and its structures.

Ekata