The DA wants the Group of 20 (G20) Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to become the primary platform for the 10-member government of national unity (GNU) to formulate foreign policy positions.
This comes as SA prepares to assume presidency of the forum for the largest economies in the world.
The IMC comprises various cabinet members and is responsible for the substantive administrative and logistical areas in preparation for SA’s presidency of the G20 from December 1.
However, it is not responsible for SA’s overall foreign policy positions as these remain the prerogative of President Cyril Ramaphosa with the assistance of international relations & co-operation (Dirco) minister Ronald Lamola. Lamola is responsible for the formulation, promotion and execution of SA’s foreign policy.
The proposal by the DA, outlined in a letter to Ramaphosa dated November 28, is yet another example of the inherent intra-GNU divisions on foreign policy.
The DA, which sat on the opposition benches before the seventh administration, seeks to have a louder voice regarding SA’s foreign policy.
“An IMC is a co-ordinating structure. It does not usurp the mandate of a government department,” a highly placed source within Dirco told Business Day.
“The letter violates the separation of powers principle. It is not for an MP to instruct the president — the principle of separation of powers does not cohere in that way.”
DA MP Ryan Smith wrote: “This committee must also serve as the platform where the GNU foreign policy can be developed and ratified in conjunction with our G20 theme, using the constitution and the GNU statement of intent as its policy compasses.
“The re-establishment of the G20 IMC, which now also comprises DA ministers Steenhuisen, [Siviwe] Gwarube, [Solly] Malatsi, and [Dion] George, must become SA’s GNU foreign policy engine room.”
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said Smith's request amounted to overreach as the DA ministers were already represented at IMC level.
“They now have ministers in cabinet who could have raised their proposal on the G20 directly with the president or the ministers of finance and international relations and co-operation,” he said.
The GNU statement of intent, signed by leaders of parties in the coalition government, commits SA to a foreign policy guided by human rights, constitutional principles, the national interest, solidarity and the peaceful resolution of conflict; achieving the African Agenda 2063 development plan and promoting co-operation between the Global South and Global North, and fostering multilateralism.
Ramaphosa previously clarified that despite the formation of the GNU, where there are inherent contradictions among member parties on global issues, SA’s foreign policy would largely remain unchanged.
“While SA’s G20 presidency will be the first of its kind on the African continent, it also coincides with our country’s new political reality under the GNU.
“Our G20 Summit is SA’s very first step into the international arena as a state under the direction of a plurality of parties and voices, and this more holistic representation of SA society within our national government must now reflect our international engagements,” Smith said.
Ramaphosa is set to formally launch SA’s G20 presidency on Monday, taking over from Brazil.
Under the theme “Fostering Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development,” SA is set to to advocate for the development of Africa and the Global South, including the reform of multilateral institutions and by fostering deeper global economic collaboration.
The G20 comprises the world’s wealthiest nations including China, France, Germany, India the UK and the US.
SA was the only African member until the addition of the AU in 2023.
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