South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his deep concern and strong condemnation of the ongoing violations of international law by some states, highlighting in particular Israel's defiance of UN resolutions and rulings, especially those of the International Court of Justice. He made these remarks during his address to the high-level meetings of the UN General Assembly, where he placed the Palestinian issue and adherence to international conventions at the heart of his speech.
A historic legal battle in The Hague
In his remarks, Ramaphosa highlighted his country's historic move to file a lawsuit before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. This lawsuit accuses Israel of violating its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip. The South African president emphasized that his country's recourse to international justice stems from its unwavering belief in the necessity of protecting civilians and preventing atrocities, drawing inspiration from South Africa's long history of struggle against apartheid and systemic injustice.
This stance is of paramount international importance, as South Africa's legal action is seen as a true test of the effectiveness of international institutions and their ability to enforce the rule of law on all states without exception. Ramaphosa warned that ignoring the court's provisional measures and rulings not only harms the Palestinians but also undermines the credibility of the entire international system.
Deteriorating humanitarian situation in Africa
President Ramaphosa's address was not limited to the situation in the Middle East; he also drew attention to the escalating crises in Africa. He expressed grave concern over the deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions in conflict zones, particularly in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in addressing these crises, which have left millions displaced and dead, and stressed the need to support peaceful solutions and African initiatives to end the conflicts.
Domestic agenda: combating poverty and unemployment
Domestically, Ramaphosa outlined the efforts of South Africa's Government of National Unity to address inherited economic and social challenges. He emphasized that his government's priorities included combating extreme poverty, reducing high unemployment rates, and tackling the root causes of inequality that continue to affect large segments of society.
The President concluded his speech by emphasizing the constants of his country’s foreign policy, explaining that South Africa will remain a driving force for maintaining world peace, believing that the settlement of disputes and conflicts can only be achieved through negotiation tables and constructive dialogue, far from the language of weapons and dictates.
