Algeria | South Africa |
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The political relations between Algeria and South Africa officially started in the 1950s and 1960s. [1] The bond formed around their respective internal conflicts that were repeatedly neglected by the United Nations Security Council. [2]
In 1961, with a fake Ethiopian passport, Nelson Mandela traveled to Algeria where he was trained by the armed forces of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN). In his book Long Walk to Freedom , he reveals his struggle against the apartheid was greatly inspired by the struggle of the Algerian soldiers. The FLN then provided the African National Congress with weapons. Returning to Algiers in 1990, Mandela declared «The Algerian army made me a man». Algeria was the first country visited by Mandela after his release. [3] [4]
In November 1964, the University of Algiers conferred an honorary Doctorate of Literature to South African activist Albert Lutuli. [5]
In 1974, in support to the anti-apartheid movement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika successfully lobbied for the expulsion of the South Africa representation from the United Nations General Assembly that he presided that year. [6] He successfully argued that South Africa's delegates were invalid because they represented only a white minority. [7]
An ANC-backer, Algeria bought weapons and surveillance equipment from South Africa (for over $15 million in 1997, $51.3 million in 1999, SA's top client that year) to fight its own Civil War. [8] In November 1997, the South African Embassy was established in Algiers. [1] The Algerian-South African High Binational Commission for Cooperation (HCBNC) was created in September 2000. [6]
Between 2011 and 2015, Algeria was South Africa's largest trading partner in Northern Africa (43% of SA's total trades in the region). South Africa exports to Algeria were estimated at R13 billion, while Algeria exports to South Africa were estimated around R463 million. [9]
The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as Dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under Apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa, particularly Southern Africa. South Africa is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Considered a possible permanent addition to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa was elected in 2006 and again in 2010 by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council, which it did until 31 December 2012. Since, South Africa has also been elected as member of the UNSC for the 2019–2020 period. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chair of the African Union from 2020 to 2021, the second time South Africa has chaired the organisation since its formation in 2003.
Since its independence from France in 1962, Algeria has pursued an activist foreign policy. In the 1960s and 1970s, Algeria was noted for its support of Third World policies and independence movements. Since its independence, Algeria has been a member of the Arab League, the African Union and of the United Nations.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Israel became an open critic of the apartheid regime in South Africa, hoping to establish good relations with black-majority countries in Africa. However, most African countries severed ties with Israel in 1973 due to economic threats by oil-rich countries in the Arab world. This situation led Israel to deepen its diplomatic ties with South Africa throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
The United States and South Africa currently maintain bilateral relations with one another. The United States and South Africa have been economically linked to one another since the late 18th century which has continued into the 21st century. U.S. and South Africa relations faced periods of strain throughout the 20th century due to the segregationist, white minority rule in South Africa, from 1948 to 1994. Following the end of apartheid in South Africa, the U.S. and South Africa have developed a strategically, politically, and economically beneficial relationship with one another and currently enjoy "cordial relations" despite "occasional strains". South Africa remains the United States' largest trading partner in Africa as of 2019.
Internal resistance to apartheid in South Africa originated from several independent sectors of South African society and took forms ranging from social movements and passive resistance to guerrilla warfare. Mass action against the ruling National Party (NP) government, coupled with South Africa's growing international isolation and economic sanctions, were instrumental in leading to negotiations to end apartheid, which began formally in 1990 and ended with South Africa's first multiracial elections under a universal franchise in 1994.
Russia–South Africa relations are foreign relations between Russia and South Africa. Full diplomatic relations were established between both countries in 1942 as the Soviet Union. Russia has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Moscow. Both countries are also members of BRICS.
South African-Ukrainian relations refers to the current and historical relations between South Africa and Ukraine. South Africa established an embassy in Kyiv in October 1992 while Ukraine established an embassy in Pretoria in 1995.
Malawian-South African relations refers to the bilateral relationship between Malawi and South Africa. South Africa's first formal relationship with an independent African country was established with Malawi, beginning in 1967.
Algeria and China have traditionally strong relations, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2018. In 2010, relations were considered the strongest of all Arab-Chinese relations behind Sudanese-Chinese relations. While relations are firmly grounded in commercial ties, diplomatic relations have notably extended into socio-cultural and political spheres.
People's Republic of China – South Africa relations refer to the current and historical relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of South Africa.
South Africa–Taiwan relations, also before 1998: Republic of China–South Africa relations refers to the current and historical relationship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of South Africa. The Republic of China and South Africa established diplomatic ties in 1949.
Eswatini–South Africa relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Eswatini and South Africa. South Africa surrounds Eswatini on the north, west and south. The two states share strong historical and cultural ties. Mutual High Commissions were established in Pretoria and Mbabane at the end of the apartheid era in 1994. Eswatini's High Commission in Pretoria is also cross-accredited to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria–South Africa relations refer to the bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa. Both countries are former British colonies, and both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and African Union. Nigeria has a high commission in Pretoria and consulate general in Johannesburg. South Africa has a high commission in Abuja.
Palestine–South Africa relations refer to the interstate relations between the Republic of South Africa and the State of Palestine.
Algeria and India maintain diplomatic relations. Algeria has an embassy in New Delhi, and India has an embassy in Algiers.
Sahrawi Republic–South Africa relations are the current and historical relations between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Western Sahara and the Republic of South Africa. Formal diplomatic relations were established at ambassador level in 2004, during the Thabo Mbeki government. A Sahrawi embassy was opened in Pretoria, and the South-African embassy in Algiers was accredited to the SADR.
Algeria and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1963. The relationship is mostly founded on common religious and anti-colonialism solidarity, as Indonesia and Algeria are Muslim-majority countries that also once fell under colonialism. Algeria recognized Indonesia's role on supporting their country on gaining independence in 1962. Both countries agreed on expanding cooperations and strengthening relations. Algeria has an embassy in Jakarta that also accredited to Singapore and Brunei, while Indonesia has an embassy in Algiers. Both nations are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Group of 77 and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Bangladesh–South Africa relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Africa. Bangladesh has a High Commission in Pretoria. The South African High Commission in Sri Lanka is accredited to Bangladesh. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Madagascar–South Africa relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Madagascar and South Africa. Both nations are members of the African Union, Group of 77, Non-Aligned Movement and the Southern African Development Community.
Saudi Arabia-South Africa relations refers to the bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Riyadh.