South Africa Defends Non-Aligned Policy

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the nation's non-aligned foreign policy in Parliament, following criticism from US Ambassador to South Africa L. Brent Bozell III. Ramaphosa asserted that South Africa maintains relations with countries like China, Russia, and Iran in pursuit of national interests and constructive global engagement, consistent with its sovereign and autonomous stance. He emphasized that South Africa engages with both Western and Eastern powers through bilateral and multilateral platforms for dialogue and cooperation, and participates in joint military exercises with various nations, including the United States, China, and India. Ramaphosa also highlighted South Africa's role in global conflict resolution, such as the war between Russia and Ukraine, and its efforts to expand economic diplomacy and trade relations worldwide. The President reiterated that South Africa's foreign policy is guided by constitutional values and aims to resolve disputes through engagement rather than confrontation.