Latest news with #DepartmentofInternationalRelationsandCooperation
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
G20 Sherpa meeting highlights global development challenges
South Africa's Group of 20 (G20) Presidency convened its third Sherpa meeting this week, focusing on critical global challenges, including sustainable development and geopolitical tensions. Speaking to the media, South Africa's G20 Sous Sherpa, Xolisa Mabhongo, stressed the urgency of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the G20 represents 85% of global GDP and has a crucial role in advancing the 2030 agenda. Mabhongo serves as the Deputy Director-General of Global Governance and Continental Agenda at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. 'We are now five years away from the date set for achieving the SDGs and this is worrisome,' the diplomat stated. He said the 20 largest economies in the world, which come from various regions, have a significant role in fostering the development agenda. 'The G20 has a responsibility to push hard during these remaining years.' He told journalists that Wednesday's Sherpa meeting of the G20 at the Sun City Resort addressed complex geopolitical issues, with participants discussing conflicts ranging from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Gaza and Ukraine. However, the approach focused on principles of achieving 'just peace' rather than diving into specific conflict details. Mabhongo said South Africa outlined four key priorities for its Presidency, which include disaster resilience, debt sustainability, critical minerals, and the Just Energy Transition (JET). He, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of transforming Africa's mineral extraction model. 'We do not want raw materials to be just taken from Africa. We want African countries to have space for beneficiation and manufacturing.' The meeting also noted the absence of the United States, with officials expressing openness to continued engagement and emphasising the continuity of the G20 agenda. Mabhongo believed that the gathering signalled South Africa's commitment to advancing Global South priorities and building on the legacies of previous presidencies from Indonesia, India, and Brazil. Meanwhile, he explained the continuity of priorities, such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty from Brazil. 'Our task force on food security that we are creating is focusing on the regional level and at the global level.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SA engineers released from Equatorial Guinea jail after diplomatic push and presidential clemency
Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home after spending more than two years in prison in Equatorial Guinea on what their families and government officials have described as trumped-up drug charges. The pair were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Potgieter and Huxham were arrested on 9 February 2023 and sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted on drug-related charges. Both men maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal, with mounting pressure from their families, legal representatives, and the South African government to secure their release. After sustained diplomatic efforts by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the engineers finally landed back in South Africa on Saturday night to emotional scenes at the airport. Their families have since requested privacy to celebrate the long-awaited reunion in peace. The breakthrough in the case came after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations involving senior government officials, including former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and her successor, Ronald Lamola. Both made official visits to Equatorial Guinea, where they lobbied for the release of the two men and raised concerns about the fairness of their trial. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri on Monday expressed gratitude to Equatorial Guinea's government for granting the clemency that allowed the two engineers to return home. 'South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for considering – and ultimately granting – this presidential pardon,' said Phiri. 'We are pleased that Mr Potgieter and Mr Huxham are safely back with their loved ones.' A family spokesperson, Shaun Murphy, described the homecoming as a bittersweet but joyous moment following more than two years of anguish and uncertainty. 'This is a happy day – one the families have waited for with hope and heartbreak,' said Murphy. 'The past two years and four months have been unimaginably painful. We express our deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes – from legal experts to diplomatic teams – to bring Frik and Peter home.' Sources close to the negotiations say the engineers' release was also part of broader discussions about improving diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. President Obiang, Africa's longest-serving head of state, has previously used presidential pardons to manage international diplomatic tensions. In this case, South African officials praised his gesture as one of goodwill. While details of the engineers' detention conditions remain closely guarded, advocacy groups have raised concerns about their treatment and access to legal representation. As the men settle back into life at home, questions remain about how South Africans working abroad are protected and how future incidents can be prevented. 'This case highlights the importance of robust consular services and diplomatic channels in protecting our citizens abroad,' said a senior government official. For now, the focus is on healing and rebuilding. 'We're just thankful that this nightmare is over,' Murphy added. 'Now it's time to move forward.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SA engineers released from Equatorial Guinea jail after diplomatic push and presidential clemency
Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home after spending more than two years in prison in Equatorial Guinea on what their families and government officials have described as trumped-up drug charges. The pair were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Potgieter and Huxham were arrested on 9 February 2023 and sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted on drug-related charges. Both men maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal, with mounting pressure from their families, legal representatives, and the South African government to secure their release. After sustained diplomatic efforts by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the engineers finally landed back in South Africa on Saturday night to emotional scenes at the airport. Their families have since requested privacy to celebrate the long-awaited reunion in peace. The breakthrough in the case came after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations involving senior government officials, including former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and her successor, Ronald Lamola. Both made official visits to Equatorial Guinea, where they lobbied for the release of the two men and raised concerns about the fairness of their trial. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri on Monday expressed gratitude to Equatorial Guinea's government for granting the clemency that allowed the two engineers to return home. 'South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for considering – and ultimately granting – this presidential pardon,' said Phiri. 'We are pleased that Mr Potgieter and Mr Huxham are safely back with their loved ones.' A family spokesperson, Shaun Murphy, described the homecoming as a bittersweet but joyous moment following more than two years of anguish and uncertainty. 'This is a happy day – one the families have waited for with hope and heartbreak,' said Murphy. 'The past two years and four months have been unimaginably painful. We express our deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes – from legal experts to diplomatic teams – to bring Frik and Peter home.' Sources close to the negotiations say the engineers' release was also part of broader discussions about improving diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. President Obiang, Africa's longest-serving head of state, has previously used presidential pardons to manage international diplomatic tensions. In this case, South African officials praised his gesture as one of goodwill. While details of the engineers' detention conditions remain closely guarded, advocacy groups have raised concerns about their treatment and access to legal representation. As the men settle back into life at home, questions remain about how South Africans working abroad are protected and how future incidents can be prevented. 'This case highlights the importance of robust consular services and diplomatic channels in protecting our citizens abroad,' said a senior government official. For now, the focus is on healing and rebuilding. 'We're just thankful that this nightmare is over,' Murphy added. 'Now it's time to move forward.'
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
US joining war on Iran creates major political headache for SA
With the world on tenterhooks following the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, South African politicians have been notably cautious in articulating their initial positions. By sunset on Sunday, 22 June, as news of the extraordinary US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities at Israel's behest continued to ricochet globally, barely a single South African politician seemed willing to come out publicly with a position on the matter. Fikile Mbalula. Gayton McKenzie. Herman Mashaba. These are hardly shrinking violets when it comes to making their views known on forums like X — yet on the matter of the Iranian bombing, at the time of writing, there was a deafening silence from them. Neither was there yet an official statement available from either the DA or the ANC, suggesting that SA's two biggest political parties were to some degree agonising over what, exactly, to say. From Parliament's committee on international relations: niks. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) was mute on Sunday too, and a Daily Maverick query to its spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, went unanswered. Ramaphosa issues mild reprimand of US By mid-afternoon, President Cyril Ramaphosa had grasped the nettle — kind of — and released a statement that said relatively little. 'President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government have noted with a great deal of anxiety the entry by the United States of America into the Israel-Iran war,' it read, followed by a weak rebuke of the Trump administration. 'It was South Africa's sincerest hope that President Donald Trump would use his influence and that of the US government to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving their issues of dispute.' The statement concluded, as is on brand for Ramaphosa, with a call for 'peaceful resolution'. Despite the fact that Tehran and Pretoria enjoy warm diplomatic relations, Ramaphosa's statement revealed the diplomatic egg dance that the situation presents to the South African government. South Africa cannot risk alienating the Trump administration further, with the relationship still on life support from the buildup to the Trump-Ramaphosa Oval Office showdown in late May. The Israel factor is a significant complication The difficulty for Pretoria is that the Iranian strike was overtly carried out at the behest of Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump's brief televised announcement, confirming that US fighter jets had targeted multiple nuclear research sites in Iran, ended not only with 'God bless the Middle East' and 'God bless America' but also, specifically, 'God bless Israel' — a closing flourish that left little doubt about whose interests were being prioritised. South Africa has positioned itself internationally as one of the staunchest critics of Israel's conduct, culminating in its landmark International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Pretoria has also publicly cut diplomatic ties with Israel, formally downgrading the embassy. In the face of this new regional escalation, it must now consider how to balance that principled commitment with its allegiance to Iran, a fellow BRICS member — while simultaneously avoiding direct confrontation with a still-dominant United States. With that in mind, the silence of the political class on Sunday was, frankly, understandable. BRICS buddies band together? South Africa and Iran have shared membership of BRICS since an invitation was issued to the latter at the 2023 Johannesburg summit. Other BRICS states were less hesitant in responding to the bombing. The Chinese foreign ministry issued an unambiguous condemnation: 'China strongly condemns the U.S. attacks on Iran and bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency]. The actions of the U.S. seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East. China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation.' Saudi Arabia, whose new BRICS membership sits awkwardly with its often-fraught relationship with Iran, struck a more guarded tone. Its official English-language X account posted: 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the developments in the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America.' The United States, meanwhile, was vocally backed by a handful of close allies. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered a firm endorsement of the bombing, posting on X: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.' But from other corners of the West, the reaction was unease rather than celebration. Carl Bildt, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, called the bombing a 'clear-cut violation of international law'. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was 'gravely alarmed' by the use of force by the US. A massively unpopular war Complicating the picture for South Africa is the fact that this conflict is likely to be widely unpopular across the globe — including among Western populations. Comparisons are already being drawn with the disastrous US invasion of Iraq in 2003, and social media suggests a growing generational divide in how such conflicts are understood as the post-World War 2 political consensus crumbles. Young people in particular are questioning why Israel, which has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and possesses undeclared nuclear weapons, is held to a radically different standard than Iran, which remains under international inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This is also a moment when support for Israel is at an all-time low. Tens of thousands of protesters flooded European capitals over the weekend, voicing opposition to the ongoing bombardment of Gaza. In June, a YouGov poll showed support for Israel in Western Europe had sunk to its lowest levels ever recorded. In Germany, France and the UK, only between 13% and 21% of respondents now hold favourable views of Israel, compared to 63% to 70% expressing negative sentiments. As South Africa mulls its response, the stakes are particularly high. The government has sought to portray itself as a champion of the Global South, a defender of international law, and a broker of multipolar diplomacy. The entrance of the United States into open hostilities against Iran, with Israel applauding from the wings, tests every aspect of that narrative. DM
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
South African engineers granted clemency by Equatorial Guinea's President
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronlad Lamola, welcomed Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham home at Lanseria Airport with their families. Image: Supplied Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has confirmed that Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea, has granted clemency for the two South African engineers imprisoned for drug trafficking charges two years ago. The families of engineers Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter also expressed their relief and gratitude to everyone including the South African government for never giving up on their plight Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said the release was a coordinated effort between the department, the families and their employer, SBM Offshore. 'The Government of the Republic of South Africa welcomes the release of Mr Peter Shane Huxham and Mr Frik Potgieter from detention in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. This release follows the granting of clemency by the President of Equatorial Guinea,' said Phiri. The duo were arrested on February 9, 2023 on drug trafficking charges and were sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. They were working offshore in the central African country, and the arrest came just two days after a South African court ordered the seizure of a super yacht, called Blue Shadow valued above R300 million, and two luxury villas belonging to vice president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro 'Teodorin' Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the president Mbasogo. "South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government of Equatorial Guinea for considering and ultimately granting this Presidential pardon, allowing Mr Huxham and Mr Potgieter to return home to their loved ones,' said Phiri. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Since their arrest, the South African Government has remained actively engaged through diplomatic channels, including sending Special Envoys, to secure their release on humanitarian grounds. Throughout these sustained engagements, the Government consistently appealed for clemency, highlighting the humanitarian aspects of the case and the profound impact on the families of the detained. 'The Government of South Africa acknowledges the complexity of the matter, including its sensitive diplomatic and legal dimensions. It appreciated the Government of Equatorial Guinea's continued provision of consular access and the spirit of constructive diplomatic dialogue that has been maintained throughout this period." Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini, spokespersons for the families, said they were relieved. 'We are overwhelmed with relief and joy. The last two years and four months have been unimaginably painful for both of our families. Today, we are finally able to say: Frik and Peter are safely back home. 'The families expressed their deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including Frik and Peter's employer (SBM Offshore), the South African and UK governments, international diplomatic partners, parliamentarians, legal teams, Hostage International and other civil society organisations, and the media. They are also grateful to former Minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor, and the current Minister, Ronald Lamola, who visited Equatorial Guinea as envoys for the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. ' The families also thanked South Africans and everyone worldwide for signing their online petition which called for their release. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
