SA shoots itself in the foot for abstaining to vote on UN resolution to condemn Russia

Democratic South Africa has always regarded itself as a non-aligned country.

But even that label comes with its own baggage, given that the Non-Aligned Movement – of which we are a member – was, at times in the past, antagonistic towards the West.

During the time of Nelson Mandela, it was comparatively easy to steer that course without adverse effects on our national reputation, considering his icon status, which gave the country moral authority.

These days, with the rest of the world well aware of our overwhelming corruption and decline in many spheres, South Africa does not have the clout on the international stage that it once did.

That is why our vote at the United Nations, on a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine was, effectively, irrelevant.

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No one was going to listen to the speech of our ambassador, which laid out the necessity for negotiation, not in the least because the horse of war had long since bolted from the stable… In abstaining from condemning Russia, though, our country may have made little real difference to the conflict, but could well have shot itself in the foot as far as our international standing is concerned.

The 141 countries – including most of our major trading partners – who voted for the resolution will have noted our reluctance to take sides… and most of them will have had the words of Desmond Tutu ringing in their ears: words to the effect that those who side with injustice, side with the perpetrator.

Our neighbours Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho and Malawi voted in favour, as did major African players like Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda. Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique abstained with us.

The old saying “By your friends shall you be known” is one which has increasing resonance today. People around the world will not forget how we voted…