Repositioning South Africa in the Dynamic World Disorder Reflections of the State’s Predicament on the Russo-Ukraine War

Abstract

This paper dissects and proposes the feasible remedies that the South African government can navigate and adopt in light of the Russo-Ukrainian war utilising a qualitative research methodology-document analysis. The outbreak of the war has placed the South African government in a quandary as to which side to support. On the one hand, it is an ally of the United States of America, and on the other, it is allied to Russia through integration (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-BRICS). The outbreak of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine has placed South Africa in the unenviable position of being trapped between integration and the condemnation of an egregious war. South Africa is a long-time ally of the United States. The two countries have enjoyed bilateral cordial trade, commerce, transport, finance, technology, and defence relations. The government has also enjoyed the same tranquil and reciprocal relations with Russia. The Russo-Ukrainian war, which later transmogrified into a proxy war between Russia and the United States-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), placed South Africa in a dilemma as to which course to pursue. The government's maneuvers to collaborate with Russia militarily were castigated by the United States and received threats of sanctions. On the contrary, abandoning Russia, its long-time ally and integration partner, would be suicidal. South Africa is also expected to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to attend a BRICS Summit in August 2023. South Africa is a state party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and is required to incarcerate Putin territorially upon arrival. Adopting a non-aligned approach also seems like South Africa is neglecting both camps. This paper proposes the probable avenues the South African government can pursue to outsmart its predicament for its continual benefit and economic and political survival. Such a course should not derail but preserve the country's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its achievements in its thirty years of democracy.