Indonesia and South Africa established formal diplomatic relations on 12 August 1994.[1] The South African Embassy in Jakarta was established in January 1995, and Indonesia opened its embassy in Pretoria in 1995.[2] Both nations are members of numerous organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Non-Aligned Movement, Indian-Ocean Rim Association, Cairns Group, CIVETS and G-20 major economies. In 2012, during a briefing on Foreign Policy initiatives for 2012, Indonesia named South Africa amongst its 14 strategic partners and Dutch colonial period East Indies overseas countries (including Dutch-speaking countries outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands).[3]
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, Indonesians' perception of South Africa are divided between 36% a negative view, and 33% expressing a positive one, this is about the same as global average opinion on South Africa.[4]
History
Embassy of Indonesia in Pretoria
Although formal diplomatic relations were only established in the 1990s, the historical links between Indonesia and South Africa go back to the 17th century. In 1693 Sheikh Yusuf from Makassar was exiled to the Cape of Good Hope, because he assisted BantenSultan Ageng Tirtayasa's rebellion against the Dutch. At that time, the Dutch colonized both the Cape of Good Hope (now the city of Cape Town) and the Dutch East Indies (centered in Batavia). Yusuf's arrival in Cape Town established the Malay Muslim community in South Africa, as the town served as a penal settlement for convicts and political exiles from East Indies.
During the Apartheid period, Indonesia joined the rest of the Asian countries in avoiding official relations with South Africa, however in 1968, Indonesia unofficially opened secret military and intelligence relations with South Africa through the Estado Novo regime of Portugal as well as through Israel. It was widely known that from 1968-69 onwards, Indonesia shared intelligence with South Africa and Israel through Portugal, Iran, and Turkey[5]
Indonesian-South African relations were formalized through the establishment of diplomatic relations in August 1994. The South African Embassy in Jakarta was established in January 1995 and officially opened by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr A Nzo, on 14 July 1997. The South African Embassy in Jakarta is also accredited to ASEAN in order to maintain close interaction with the regional body, and also accredited to East Timor since 2009 on a non-residential basis.[6]
South Africa is Indonesia's largest trade partner in Africa which accounted for 22.18 percent of Indonesia's total trade with Africa in 2011.[9] Trade between the two countries has seen a steady increase over the past few years and has the potential to grow. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$2.14 billion in 2011. Indonesia's exports were valued at US$1.44 billion in 2011 while imports were around US$705.78 million, resulting in a US$730.81 million trade surplus in favour of Indonesia.[6] The South African market is one of Indonesia's key non-traditional markets, which is expected to drive future exports.
↑ "Exploring Africa, Mainstreaming Indonesia's Economic Diplomacy in Non-traditional Market". Centre for Policy Analysis and Development on Asia-Pacific and African Regions, Policy Analysis and Development Agency. Ministry of Foreign Affair of the Republic of Indonesia: 80. 2012.
Since independence, Indonesian foreign relations have adhered to a "free and active" foreign policy, seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. During the presidency of Sukarno, Indonesia's foreign relations were marked by engagement with other newly independent nations in Asia and Africa, as exemplified by the Bandung Conference, the subsequent foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement and a confrontational attitude towards Western powers, justified by a belief in the CONEFO and opposition to what Sukarno termed as NEKOLIM.
China and Indonesia established formal diplomatic relations in 1949, more commonly referred to as Sino-Indonesian relations. Prior to this, for many centuries, the two countries maintained a variety of relations mainly in informal trade. Under Sukarno’s presidency, from 1945 to 1967, relations with China deepened, as in the early 1960s Sukarno embarked on a series of aggressive foreign policies under the rubric of anti-imperialism and personally championed the Non-Aligned Movement. These developments led to increasing friction with the West and closer relations both with China and the USSR.
Indonesia and Ukraine established diplomatic relations in 1992. Indonesia has an embassy in Kyiv that is also accredited for Georgia and Armenia, while Ukraine has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations have agreed to expand cooperation in heavy industries, military, space technology and exploration, tourism, sports, economy and trade sectors, as well as cooperation within international organizations.
Indonesia-Turkey relations refers to diplomatic relations betweeen Turkey and Indonesia. They have strong ties.
Indonesia and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations in 1949 and have maintained strong relations since then. Indonesia has an embassy in London while the United Kingdom has an embassy in Jakarta. The United Kingdom considers Indonesia an increasingly important partner globally and is committed to efforts to take bilateral relations to new heights. Both nations are members of G-20 major economies.
Indonesia and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1955. Indonesia has an embassy in Hanoi and a consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City while Vietnam has an embassy in Jakarta. Both are neighboring nations that have a maritime border which lies on the South China Sea and are members of ASEAN and APEC.
Indonesia and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1950. Portuguese explorer and trader first reached Indonesian archipelago during the Age of Exploration in the 16th century in order to search for spices in the Indies.
France and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. Since 2011 France and Indonesia have formed a strategic partnership.
Indonesia–North Korea relations refers to bilateral relations between Indonesia and North Korea. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 16 April 1964. Indonesia is one of the very few countries that still tries to maintain cordial relations with North Korea, despite the widespread international sanctions and resulting isolation imposed on North Korea, compounded with the negative reputation of its human rights, nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and Indonesia's publicly more robust engagement and partnership with South Korea.
Indonesia and Nigeria established diplomatic relations on 5 March 1965. Both countries are members of multilateral organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement, World Trade Organization (WTO), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Developing 8 Countries. Indonesia has an embassy in Abuja and Nigeria has an embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia and Kenya established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1979. Indonesia has an embassy in Nairobi, also accredited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Uganda, and in 2022 Kenya established its embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are partners in multilateral organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Non-Aligned Movement.
Indonesia and Tanzania established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1964. The relations between both nations are mostly in the agriculture sector, where Indonesia provides training for Tanzanian farmers. In 2011 both countries established Indonesia-Tanzania Joint Agriculture Cooperation Committee (JACC), as a vehicle to improve agricultural sector co-operations, such as capacity building through training, joint research, and the expansion of market access to agricultural products. Indonesia has an embassy in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has a non-resident ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since 2023, Tanzania had opened an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries are members of multilateral organisations such as World Trade Organization (WTO), the Group of 77 and Non-Aligned Movement.
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.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Pretoria is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of South Africa and concurrently accredited to the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, and the Kingdom of Lesotho. The embassy is located at 949 Francis Baard Street in the suburb of Arcadia, Pretoria. Indonesia also has a consulate general in Cape Town and an honorary consulate in Mbabane, Eswatini.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the People's Republic of China. The embassy is concurrently accredited to Mongolia. Indonesia also has three consulate generals in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, dan Shanghai. The first Indonesian ambassador to China was Arnold Mononutu (1953–1955). The current ambassador, Djauhari Oratmangun, was appointed by President Joko Widodo on 20 February 2018.
Angola–Indonesia relations are foreign relations between Angola and Indonesia. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2001. Angola has an embassy in Jakarta since August 2023, whereas Indonesia has an embassy in Windhoek, Namibia, that is also accredited to Angola.
Indonesia–Mozambique relations are the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Mozambique. Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Indian-Ocean Rim Association.
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