How about you worry about South Africa before you worry about the world?
The importance of focusing on domestic issues before global issues
While it is important for leaders to address global issues, it is equally important to focus on domestic issues first. The recent initiative by President Cyril Ramaphosa and six other African leaders to discuss the war in Ukraine is worrisome. It appears to be an attempt by Ramaphosa to “shine” in the absence of a serious solution or end to the conflict of the Western powers.
Africa has a long tradition of advocating for peace and reconciliation, but the manner in which Ramaphosa recruited his fellow presidents from across the continent is questionable. It is unclear what an African delegation will really gain by ending this war, and it raises the question of whether Ramaphosa is seeking a positive legacy back home.
Furthermore, recent events in South Africa, such as the joint military exercise with China and Russia off the port cities of Durban and Richards Bay, have drawn criticism from the United States and other world powers, who accused South Africa of supporting the war in Ukraine. Given the state of South Africa’s economy and the upcoming elections, Ramaphosa must prioritize domestic issues before engaging in global affairs.
Despite criticism, Ramaphosa seems unmoved and justifies the joint military exercise through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, stating that South Africa regularly holds similar exercises with other countries. However, the fact that South Africa and several other African countries abstained or voted against condemning Russia at the United Nations is unforgivable.
On May 11, the US Ambassador to South Africa publicly accused the government of supplying Russia with weapons, putting pressure on Ramaphosa to show the world that his government is committed to neutrality. Given the current state of South Africa’s economy and the underperformance of the ruling ANC, Ramaphosa must prioritize domestic issues and hope to win the hearts of South Africans.
The recent embarrassment suffered by the South African presidential delegation when they were detained at Warsaw airport could have been avoided. The leaders of the African nations named saw fit to travel thousands of miles to Moscow and Kyiv while conflicts in Sudan, Somalia, and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continue to be ignored.
The fact that African countries have different views on the war in Ukraine raises the question of what kind of magic the new delegation will bring to Moscow and Kyiv to lead to tangible results like a ceasefire or the start of peace talks. African leaders must prioritize domestic issues and address conflicts at home before engaging in global affairs.
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