Spats over Russia and Ukraine show cracks in South Africa's unity government

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa's unity government has been rocked by a spat between its main political parties, the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, over a deal to grant visa-free access for Ukrainians holding diplomatic, official and services passports.

The arrangement was announced by Leon Schreiber, the home affairs minister from the Democratic Alliance, but was repudiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson and his African National Congress.

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said on Tuesday that Ramaphosa would not sign off on the agreement despite the announcement by Schreiber this past weekend.

Cracks in the government of national unity were also evident last week when Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen, who is also a Cabinet minister, rejected statements made by Ramaphosa at a BRICS summit in Russia, where he told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia was a valued ally of South Africa.

Steenhuisen issued a statement shortly afterward rejecting the comments.

“The Democratic Alliance (DA) distances itself from recent comments made by President Ramaphosa during bilateral engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he stated that ‘Russia is a valuable ally and friend.’ The Democratic Alliance, as a key partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU), rejects this characterization in no uncertain terms. The Democratic Alliance does not consider Russia, or Vladimir Putin, to be an ally of our Nation,” Steenhuisen said.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, responded with a statement saying that the president is responsible for the country’s foreign policy and would implement it without pressure from the Democratic Alliance.

“In the process South Africa has also maintained its strong historical ties with the Russian Federation, whilst enjoying cordial diplomatic bilateral relations with Ukraine. South Africa has also been unwavering in advocating for a peace process that includes the full participation of both countries.,” Magwenya said.

The disagreements are the latest between the main parties in South Africa's government of national unity, which was formed after the African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority in elections earlier this year in which it received about 40% of the total vote, its worst-ever electoral performance.

The ANC, which has governed since the country held its first democratic elections in 1994, then formed a unity government with the then official opposition Democratic Alliance and other smaller parties.

However, rifts between the parties have been evident since Ramaphosa appointed a Cabinet including ministers from the former opposition party.

South Africa has officially adopted a non-aligned stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and has been calling for dialogue to bring an end to the conflict, while it continues to maintain diplomatic relations with both countries.

It is also part of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, which includes Russia and China and recently held a summit in the Russian city of Karzan.

The Democratic Alliance, however, has condemned Russia and openly backed Ukraine, with Steenhuisen visiting that country in 2022.

In September, the two parties clashed over an education bill that gives the government power to determine language and admission policies in schools, with the education minister, who is a Democratic Alliance leader, boycotting the ceremony at which Ramaphosa signed it into law.