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Politics of South Africa |
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The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as a 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, 2010 and 2018 by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council. [1] [2] 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. [3]
South Africa, as a key member of the British Empire and Commonwealth as a Dominion, fought alongside the United Kingdom and the Allies in both World War I and World War II, and it participated in the postwar UN force in the Korean War. South Africa was a founding member of the League of Nations and in 1927 established a Department of External Affairs with diplomatic missions in the main Western European countries and in the United States.
South Africa introduced apartheid in 1948, as a systematic extension of pre-existing racial discrimination in the country. As a result, the country became increasingly isolated internationally until apartheid was abolished in 1991 and racial equality introduced between 1990 and 1993. This transition produced a change in South Africa's foreign policy. The country stopped trying to regain regional hegemony and started to behave as a central hub for co-operation as a regional unipole.
Having emerged from the international isolation of the apartheid era, South Africa has become a leading international actor. Its principal foreign policy objective is to develop good relations with all countries, especially its neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (*-see note below) and the other members of the African Union. South Africa has played a key role in seeking an end to various conflicts and political crises on the African continent, including in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Comoros, and Zimbabwe. In August 1998, South Africa assumed the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, which it relinquished in July 2002.
Eswatini has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi kingdom.
South Africa was a Dominion of the British Empire and the Commonwealth from 1910 until 1961.
South Africa was a republic outside the Commonwealth from 1961 to 1994, then it became a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations on 1 June 1994.
South Africa was a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from October 2006 until 2008.
South African votes in the UNSC have not been without controversy. In particular, a 'no' vote on a resolution criticising the Burmese government attracted widespread criticism. [4]
List of countries which South Africa maintains diplomatic relations with:
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# | Country | Date [5] [6] [7] |
1 | ![]() | 31 October 1929 [8] |
2 | ![]() | 5 November 1929 [9] |
3 | ![]() | 25 November 1929 [10] [11] |
4 | ![]() | 10 March 1931 [12] [ better source needed ] |
5 | ![]() | 28 August 1933 [13] |
6 | ![]() | 5 November 1934 [14] |
7 | ![]() | 30 November 1934 [15] [16] |
8 | ![]() | 1934 [15] |
9 | ![]() | 11 September 1939 [17] |
10 | ![]() | 2 September 1941 [18] |
11 | ![]() | 1 January 1946 [19] |
12 | ![]() | 16 June 1946 [20] |
13 | ![]() | August 1946 [21] |
14 | ![]() | 10 September 1947 [22] |
15 | ![]() | 31 January 1948 [23] |
16 | ![]() | May 1948 [24] |
17 | ![]() | 15 May 1949 [25] |
18 | ![]() | 1949 [26] |
19 | ![]() | 18 May 1951 [27] |
20 | ![]() | 14 August 1951 [28] |
21 | ![]() | 11 March 1952 [29] |
22 | ![]() | 5 October 1955 [30] |
23 | ![]() | 1967 [31] |
24 | ![]() | 1 January 1968 [32] |
25 | ![]() | 22 April 1968 [33] |
26 | ![]() | 3 April 1974 [34] |
27 | ![]() | January 1975 [35] |
28 | ![]() | 24 July 1991 [36] |
29 | ![]() | 4 November 1991 [37] |
30 | ![]() | 4 November 1991 [38] |
31 | ![]() | 20 November 1991 [39] |
32 | ![]() | 21 November 1991 [40] |
33 | ![]() | 18 December 1991 [41] |
34 | ![]() | 13 January 1992 |
35 | ![]() | 19 January 1992 |
36 | ![]() | 26 January 1992 [42] |
37 | ![]() | 2 February 1992 |
38 | ![]() | 28 February 1992 |
39 | ![]() | 4 March 1992 [43] |
40 | ![]() | 5 March 1992 |
41 | ![]() | 16 March 1992 [44] |
42 | ![]() | 2 April 1992 |
43 | ![]() | 29 April 1992 [45] |
44 | ![]() | 5 May 1992 |
45 | ![]() | 8 May 1992 [46] |
46 | ![]() | 11 May 1992 [47] |
47 | ![]() | 21 May 1992 |
48 | ![]() | 21 May 1992 |
49 | ![]() | 15 June 1992 [48] |
50 | ![]() | 23 June 1992 [49] |
51 | ![]() | 12 August 1992 [50] |
52 | ![]() | 30 September 1992 |
53 | ![]() | 15 October 1992 |
54 | ![]() | 12 October 1992 [51] |
55 | ![]() | 30 October 1992 |
56 | ![]() | 19 November 1992 [52] |
57 | ![]() | 1 December 1992 |
58 | ![]() | 1 January 1993 |
59 | ![]() | 1 January 1993 [53] |
60 | ![]() | 10 February 1993 [54] |
61 | ![]() | 22 March 1993 [55] |
62 | ![]() | 23 April 1993 [56] |
63 | ![]() | 30 April 1993 [57] |
64 | ![]() | 5 May 1993 |
65 | ![]() | 14 May 1993 |
66 | ![]() | 28 July 1993 [58] |
67 | ![]() | 23 August 1993 |
68 | ![]() | 13 September 1993 [59] |
69 | ![]() | 28 September 1993 [60] |
70 | ![]() | 1 October 1993 |
71 | ![]() | 5 October 1993 |
72 | ![]() | 11 October 1993 [61] |
73 | ![]() | 11 October 1993 [62] |
74 | ![]() | 27 October 1993 |
75 | ![]() | 1 November 1993 |
76 | ![]() | 4 November 1993 |
77 | ![]() | 8 November 1993 |
78 | ![]() | 22 November 1993 |
79 | ![]() | 3 December 1993 |
80 | ![]() | 7 December 1993 |
81 | ![]() | 9 December 1993 [63] |
82 | ![]() | 10 December 1993 |
83 | ![]() | 22 December 1993 [64] |
84 | ![]() | December 1993 [65] |
85 | ![]() | 4 January 1994 |
86 | ![]() | 13 January 1994 [66] |
87 | ![]() | 27 January 1994 [67] |
88 | ![]() | 21 February 1994 |
— | ![]() | 5 March 1994 [68] |
89 | ![]() | 4 April 1994 |
90 | ![]() | 12 April 1994 |
91 | ![]() | 23 April 1994 [67] |
92 | ![]() | 29 April 1994 |
93 | ![]() | 29 April 1994 [67] |
94 | ![]() | 29 April 1994 [67] |
95 | ![]() | 6 May 1994 [69] |
96 | ![]() | 6 May 1994 |
97 | ![]() | 9 May 1994 |
98 | ![]() | 10 May 1994 [70] |
99 | ![]() | 10 May 1994 [71] |
100 | ![]() | 10 May 1994 [71] |
101 | ![]() | 10 May 1994 |
102 | ![]() | 10 May 1994 |
103 | ![]() | 10 May 1994 [67] |
104 | ![]() | 10 May 1994 |
105 | ![]() | 11 May 1994 [72] |
106 | ![]() | 11 May 1994 |
107 | ![]() | 11 May 1994 |
108 | ![]() | 14 May 1994 [73] |
119 | ![]() | 16 May 1994 |
110 | ![]() | 17 May 1994 [67] |
111 | ![]() | 19 May 1994 |
112 | ![]() | 25 May 1994 |
113 | ![]() | 27 May 1994 |
114 | ![]() | 31 May 1994 [74] |
115 | ![]() | May 1994 [71] |
116 | ![]() | 1 June 1994 |
117 | ![]() | 22 June 1994 [71] |
118 | ![]() | 24 June 1994 |
119 | ![]() | 18 July 1994 [71] |
120 | ![]() | 27 July 1994 |
121 | ![]() | 28 July 1994 |
122 | ![]() | 28 July 1994 |
123 | ![]() | 12 August 1994 |
124 | ![]() | 5 September 1994 |
125 | ![]() | 9 September 1994 |
126 | ![]() | 10 September 1994 |
127 | ![]() | 12 September 1994 |
128 | ![]() | 15 September 1994 |
129 | ![]() | 19 September 1994 |
130 | ![]() | 22 September 1994 |
131 | ![]() | 27 September 1994 [75] |
132 | ![]() | 4 October 1994 |
133 | ![]() | 7 October 1994 |
134 | ![]() | 11 October 1994 |
135 | ![]() | 21 October 1994 |
136 | ![]() | 29 October 1994 [67] |
137 | ![]() | 4 November 1994 |
138 | ![]() | 7 November 1994 |
139 | ![]() | 25 December 1994 [76] |
140 | ![]() | 6 January 1995 [77] |
141 | ![]() | 10 January 1995 |
142 | ![]() | 10 January 1995 |
143 | ![]() | 12 January 1995 |
144 | ![]() | 26 January 1995 |
145 | ![]() | 3 February 1995 |
— | ![]() | 15 February 1995 |
146 | ![]() | 16 February 1995 |
147 | ![]() | 28 February 1995 [67] |
148 | ![]() | 17 March 1995 [67] |
149 | ![]() | 22 March 1995 [78] |
150 | ![]() | 22 March 1995 |
151 | ![]() | 23 March 1995 |
152 | ![]() | 20 April 1995 |
153 | ![]() | 20 May 1995 [79] |
154 | ![]() | 23 June 1995 |
155 | ![]() | 1 September 1995 |
156 | ![]() | October 1995 [80] |
157 | ![]() | 3 January 1996 |
158 | ![]() | 17 January 1996 |
159 | ![]() | 7 February 1996 |
— | ![]() | 9 February 1996 [81] |
160 | ![]() | 4 March 1996 [82] |
161 | ![]() | 4 October 1996 |
162 | ![]() | 11 December 1996 |
163 | ![]() | 12 December 1996 |
164 | ![]() | 12 December 1996 |
165 | ![]() | 5 January 1997 |
166 | ![]() | 10 January 1997 |
167 | ![]() | 14 May 1997 |
168 | ![]() | 11 November 1997 |
169 | ![]() | 9 December 1997 |
170 | ![]() | 1 January 1998 [83] |
171 | ![]() | 25 February 1998 |
172 | ![]() | 5 March 1998 |
173 | ![]() | 29 April 1998 |
174 | ![]() | 7 August 1998 |
175 | ![]() | 10 August 1998 |
176 | ![]() | 21 August 1998 [67] |
177 | ![]() | 25 August 1998 [67] |
178 | ![]() | 6 July 1999 |
179 | ![]() | 30 August 1999 |
180 | ![]() | 1 September 1999 |
181 | ![]() | 9 May 2002 [84] |
182 | ![]() | 3 February 2003 [67] |
183 | ![]() | 17 February 2004 |
184 | ![]() | 24 August 2004 |
— | ![]() | 15 September 2004 [67] |
185 | ![]() | 11 October 2006 [85] |
186 | ![]() | 19 January 2011 [86] |
187 | ![]() | 21 September 2011 [87] |
188 | ![]() | 13 March 2012 [88] |
189 | ![]() | 18 September 2023 [89] |
State | Formal relations began | Notes |
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![]() | 10 May 1994 | See Algeria–South Africa relations |
![]() | 27 May 1994 | See Angola–South Africa relations South Africa relations are quite strong, as the ruling parties in both nations – the African National Congress in South Africa and the MPLA in Angola – fought together during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War. They fought against UNITA rebels, based in Angola, and the apartheid-era government in South Africa who supported them. Nelson Mandela mediated between the MPLA and UNITA factions during the last years of Angola's civil war.
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![]() | 22 June 1994 | See Botswana–South Africa relations
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![]() | See Egypt–South Africa relations
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![]() | 1 October 1993 | See Eswatini–South Africa relations
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![]() | 6 May 1994 | See Ghana–South Africa relations
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![]() | 12 April 1994 | See Kenya–South Africa relations
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![]() | 21 May 1992 | See Lesotho–South Africa relations
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![]() | 10 May 1994 | See Libya–South Africa relations
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![]() | 27 January 1994 | See Madagascar–South Africa relations
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![]() | 10 September 1967 | See Malawi–South Africa relations Since South Africa and Malawi had their first democratic elections in 1994, Malawi and South Africa have enhanced relations. In 2008, the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to enhance the relationship between the two countries through enhanced security cooperation. [90]
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![]() | 26 September 1993 | See Mozambique–South Africa relations
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![]() | 10 May 1994 | See Namibia–South Africa relations Upon independence in 1990, Namibia's economy was still tied to South Africa's. [91] To this day, the economy of Namibia is still closely contacted to South Africa through both institutional relationships (Southern African Customs Union, for example) and privately owned mining concessions. [92] The South African rand is still legal currency within Namibia (while the Namibian dollar is not so in South Africa), and the currencies are traded on par locally.
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![]() | 10 May 1994 | See Nigeria–South Africa relations |
![]() | 10 May 1994 | See South Africa–Zambia relations
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![]() | 29 April 1994 | See South Africa–Zimbabwe relations The Government of Zimbabwe took a particular interest in the search for independence for Namibia (South-West Africa) from South Africa. In addition, as chairman of the front-line states in southern Africa, Zimbabwe spoke out vigorously against the policies of apartheid in South Africa and frequently called for the imposition of economic sanctions against the government. However, whilst supporting democratic change in South Africa, Mugabe did not support the idea of Zimbabwe being used as a base for anti-South African guerrillas. [93] In recent years, following the political crisis in the country, the ex-president Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and Zanu PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism. [94] Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and has urged the parties to form a unity government. [95]
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State | Formal relations began | Notes |
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![]() | 26 June 2004 |
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![]() | 10 September 1947 (broke off 22 May 1986, Restored 8 August 1991) | See Argentina–South Africa relations
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![]() | 14 May 1997 |
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![]() | 1967 | See Bolivia–South Africa relations
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![]() | 28 October 1947 | See Brazil–South Africa relations Brazil has provided military assistance to South Africa in the form of warfare training and logistics. Bilateral relations between the countries have recently increased, as a result of Brazil's new South-South foreign policy aimed to strengthen integration between the major powers of the developing world. |
![]() | 11 September 1939 | See Canada–South Africa relations Canada established its diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1939, along with other nations, due to the outbreak of World War II. Canada actively encouraged the end of Apartheid in South Africa and the countries have had normal relations since then. The Constitution of South Africa was, in part, inspired by the Constitution of Canada, particularly the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Former South African President Nelson Mandela made an official state visit to Canada in September 1998. Mandela was made an honorary Canadian citizen, during his second visit to Canada. A 2003 visit by President Thabo Mbeki in November 2003, the Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to strengthen relations between the two countries. Canada has assisted South Africa in the areas of development (over $200 million) and the fight against AIDS in South Africa and to strengthen services provided by the Government of South Africa. Trade between the two countries totalled $1.8 billion in 2008. [104] Canada and South Africa are both member states of the Commonwealth of Nations. |
![]() | 11 May 1994 | See Cuba–South Africa relations
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![]() | 29 April 1998 | Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Diplomatic relations were established on 29 April 1998. [105] |
![]() | 4 November 1994 |
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![]() | 27 October 1993 | See Mexico–South Africa relations There were no official relations between Mexico and South Africa before 1993. After the birth of democracy in South Africa, the countries established relations.
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![]() | 10 January 1995 | |
![]() | 10 January 1995 | See South Africa-Trinidad and Tobago relations Relations between Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa started after the apartheid ended.
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![]() | 5 November 1929 | See South Africa–United States relations The United States has maintained an official presence in South Africa since 1799, when a US consulate was opened in Cape Town. The US Embassy is located in Pretoria, and consulates general are in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. South Africans and the US also have many non-governmental ties: US missionaries, for example, have a long history of activity in South Africa. South Africans (particularly the ANC leadership) also acknowledge support from and ties to the anti-apartheid movement in the US. [111] |
![]() | 22 April 1968 | See South Africa–Uruguay relations
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State | Formal relations began | Notes |
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![]() | 23 June 1992 | |
![]() | 29 April 1992 [114] | See Azerbaijan–South Africa relations
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![]() | 1 January 1998 | See China–South Africa relations
Despite Pretoria's long relationship with the government in Taiwan and late recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1998 the two countries currently enjoy an increasingly close relationship. Increasingly numerous official visits to each other's countries by their respective officials and rapidly increasing trade between the two countries has drawn them ever increasingly together. |
![]() | 22 November 1993 (before from 1 January 1941 to 1 July 1954, when diplomatic relations were broke off) | See India–South Africa relations There is a major resident Indian community in South Africa that made a significant contribution to the struggle for civil rights; Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi pioneered the non-violent civil disobedience in the struggle of Indian people for civil rights in the 1890s and 1900s. [115] Indians also contributed to the African National Congress's struggle against the apartheid regime. The Indian government was an outspoken critic of the apartheid-era South African government, refusing to maintain diplomatic relations. [116] India's support evoked goodwill in South Africa and other African countries. [116] |
![]() | 12 August 1994 | See Indonesia–South Africa relations
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![]() | 10 May 1994 (before from 13 November 1970 to 4 March 1979 were relations at Consulate General level) | See Iran–South Africa relations South Africa and Iran share historical bilateral relations and the latter supported the South African liberation movements. It severed official relations with South Africa in 1979 and imposed a trade boycott in protest against the country's apartheid policies. However, in January 1994, Iran lifted all trade and economic sanctions against South Africa and diplomatic relations were reestablished on 10 May 1994. [117] |
![]() | 29 November 1950 | See Israel–South Africa relations Former ANC leader Nelson Mandela first visited Israel in 1999. Mandela said: "To the many people who have questioned why I came, I say: Israel worked very closely with the apartheid regime. I say: I've made peace with many men who slaughtered our people like animals. Israel cooperated with the apartheid regime, but it did not participate in any atrocities". [118] Then Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited South Africa in 2004, [119] meeting with South African President Thabo Mbeki, the first visit by an Israeli leader since the end of apartheid. |
![]() | 13 January 1992 (before from 25 January 1937 to 8 December 1941 were diplomatic relations, restored in 1952, but only Consulate General level) | See Japan–South Africa relations
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![]() | 10 August 1998 | See North Korea–South Africa relations |
![]() | 23 April 1994 | See Pakistan–South Africa relations |
![]() | 10 May 1994 | See Qatar–South Africa relations |
![]() | 1994 | |
![]() | 1 December 1992 [120] | See Foreign relations of South Korea
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![]() | 16 September 1994 | See Sri Lanka–South Africa relations
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![]() | 26 April 1976 – 31 December 1997 | See South Africa–Taiwan relations
Relations were established between the two countries in 1949 and grew considerably after 1971 until South Africa announced that it would switch recognition from the government in Taipei to the People's Republic of China in December 1996. |
![]() | 12 October 1992 | See South Africa–Turkey relations
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State | Formal relations began | Notes |
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![]() | 5 October 1955 | |
![]() | 4 March 1993 | |
![]() | 28 August 1933 |
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![]() | 2 February 1992 | See Bulgaria–South Africa relations Interest Offices between South Africa and Bulgaria were opened initially in November 1990 and full diplomatic relations was established on 2 February 1992. Bulgaria has an embassy in Pretoria and South Africa is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Sofia.
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![]() | 10 December 1993 | |
![]() | See Denmark-South Africa relations | |
![]() | See South Africa–European Union relations
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![]() | 15 May 1949 | See Finland–South Africa relations
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![]() | 5 November 1934 ( broken diplomatic relations from 23 April 1942 to 13 December 1944) | See France–South Africa relations
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![]() | 14 August 1951 ( before from 1933 to 6 September 1939 were diplomatic relations) | See Germany–South Africa relations
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![]() | 2 September 1941 | See Greece–South Africa relations
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![]() | 5 October 1993 | See Ireland–South Africa relations
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![]() | 31 October 1929, broken 10 June 1940, restored 18 March 1946 | See Italy–South Africa relations
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![]() | 11 October 2006 | South Africa recognized Montenegro on 6 July 2006. [130] Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 October 2006. [130] |
![]() | 15 August 1929 | See Netherlands–South Africa relations
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![]() | no diplomatic relations | |
![]() | 18 December 1991 | See Poland–South Africa relations
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![]() | 1934 | See Portugal–South Africa relations
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![]() | 1942 | See Russia–South Africa relations |
![]() | 4 February 1992 | See Serbia–South Africa relations |
![]() | 18 May 1951 | See South Africa–Spain relations
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![]() | 14 December 1951 | See South Africa – Switzerland relations
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![]() | 16 March 1992 | See South Africa–Ukraine relations |
![]() | 10 March 1931 | See South Africa–United Kingdom relations South Africa established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 10 March 1931. [12] [ better source needed ]
The UK governed South Africa from 1806 until 1931, when South Africa gained full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, G20, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the SACUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement. [144] Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership. [145] |
State | Formal relations began | Notes |
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![]() | 8 May 1946 | See Australia–South Africa relations
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![]() | no diplomatic relations | South Africa is in the process of establishing diplomatic relations on a non-residential basis. [146] |
![]() | 19 January 1994 | See New Zealand–South Africa relations
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![]() | 11 December 1996 |
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