Situating the European Union within South Africa's foreign policy calculus

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the importance of the EU–South Africa Strategic Partnership in South Africa's foreign policy calculations after a decade in existence. While political differences have been open for all to see in cases such as Zimbabwe and South Africa's notice of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, the enhanced political dialogue is important in ensuring that the partners have a greater appreciation of the complexities faced by foreign policy-makers on both sides. This study is thus interested in uncovering why political relations have lagged behind the economic and social aspects of the relationship. After assessing South Africa's foreign policy interests towards the EU, it then reviews where the political fault lines have been located since the adoption of the Joint Action Plan before identifying areas of cooperation in meeting South Africa’s interests as stated in the 2011 white paper on foreign policy.

KEYWORDS:

• Strategic Partnership
• South Africa
• European Union
• Zimbabwe
• International Criminal Court

Note on contributor

Philani Mthembu is the executive director at the Institute for Global Dialogue associated with UNISA, and co-founder of the Berlin Forum on Global Politics. He completed a joint doctoral programme with the Graduate School of Global Politics, Freie Universität Berlin, and the School of International Studies at Renmin University, Beijing, focused on the rise of emerging powers as sources of development cooperation in Africa.

Notes

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2. Hengari AT, South Africa and the European Union: Moving Beyond Asymmetry. South African Institute of International Affairs, 16 July 2013, http://www.saiia.org.za/opinion-analysis/south-africa-and-the-european-union-moving-beyond-asymmetry (accessed 12 May 2017).

3. Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Building a Better World: The Diplomacy of Ubuntu, Draft White Paper on South Africa's Foreign Policy, 13 May, 2011.

4. ‘Reviewing a decade of the EU–South Africa strategic partnership’, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, University of Johannesburg SARChi Chair, Johannesburg, 21–22 July 2016.

5. Ibid. For more on the relations between Europe and South Africa during and after apartheid, refer to Margaritis K, ‘An outline of the Europe–South Africa relations during and post the Apartheid era’, LLM Tilburg University, Greece, http://ceswp.uaic.ro/articles/CESWP2012_IV4_MAR.pdf (accessed 3 June 2017).

6. Van de Geer, R. ‘South Africa and the European Union: 1994–2014 trends, developments and a perspective on the future’, University of South Africa, Pretoria, speech as Head of the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa, 2014.

7. Staff Reporter, ‘South Africa revokes ICC withdrawal’, Mail & Guardian, 3 June 2017, https://mg.co.za/article/2017-03-08-south-africa-revokes-icc-withdrawal (accessed 3 June 2017).

8. Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Building a Better World: The Diplomacy of Ubuntu, Draft White Paper on South Africa's Foreign Policy, 13 May, 2011, p. 32.

9. Ibid., p. 31.

10. Ibid.

11. Council of the European Union, The South Africa–European Union Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan, 9650/07 (Presse 205), Brussels, 15 May 2007, p. 2.

12. Ibid.

13. Ibid., p. 3.

14. Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, ‘Brexit impact: DIRCO & Institute for Global Dialogue; SA–EU & EU–SADC Economic Partnership Agreements: Foreign policy impact; African Renaissance Fund 4 quarter 2015/16 performance’, Parliamentary Monitoring Group, 31 August 2016 (accessed 25 November 2016).

15. Ibid.

16. Anthony R, P Tembe & O Gull, ‘South Africa's changing foreign policy in a multi-polar world: The influence of China and other emerging powers’, Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University, 2015, p. 4.

17. Ibid.

18. Ibid., p. 5.

19. Vadura K, ‘The EU as “norm entrepreneur” in the Asian region: exploring the digital diplomacy aspect of the human rights toolbox’, Asia Europe Journal, 13.3, May 2015.

20. Placeholder for reference on: notice of withdrawal from the ICC was seen by some within the foreign policy making community as a relief … 

21. Staff Reporter, ‘South Africa revokes ICC withdrawal’, Mail & Guardian, 3 June 2017, https://mg.co.za/article/2017-03-08-south-africa-revokes-icc-withdrawal (accessed 3 June 2017).

22. ‘Reviewing a decade of the EU–South Africa strategic partnership’, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, University of Johannesburg SARChi Chair, Johannesburg, 21–22 July 2016.

23. Ibid.

24. Fioramonti L & J Kotsopoulos, ‘The evolution of EU–South Africa relations: What influence on Africa?’, South African Journal of International Affairs, 22.4, 2015, pp. 463–478.

25. Ibid., p. 466.

26. Ibid.

27. Anthony R, P Tembe & O Gull, ‘South Africa's changing foreign policy in a multi-polar world: The influence of China and other emerging powers’, Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University, 2015, pp. 6–7.

28. United Nations Security Council. ‘Security Council fails to adopt sanctions against Zimbabwe leadership as two permanent members cast negative votes’, 2008, http://www.un.org/press/en/2008/sc9396.doc.htm (accessed 25 November 2016).

29. Helley D, ‘The EU–South Africa strategic partnership: Changing gear?’, European Strategic Partnership Observatory, FRIDE EGMONT Policy Brief 7, 2012, p. 4.

30. Ibid.

31. Van de Geer R, ‘South Africa and the European Union: 1994–2014 trends, developments and a perspective on the future’, University of South Africa, Pretoria, speech as Head of the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa, 2014, p. 4.

32. Oluoch F, ‘Mystery of the “Resolution” at Addis African Union Summit to Walk Out of ICC’, in The East African, 6 February 2016, http://allafrica.com/stories/201602070151.html (accessed on 24 November 2016).

33. Ibid.

34. Herman, P, ‘Cabinet right to make ICC decision without Parliament – Masutha’, News24, 4 November 2016, http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/cabinet-right-to-make-icc-decision-without-parliament-masutha-20161104 (accessed 25 November 2016).

35. Nkoana-Mashabane M, ‘Ours was not a reactive decision – Nkoana Mashabane on SA's ICC exit’, SABC Digital News, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGQr59K42CA (accessed 25 November 2016).

36. ‘South Africa revokes ICC withdrawal’, Mail & Guardian, 8 March 2017, https://mg.co.za/article/2017-03-08-south-africa-revokes-icc-withdrawal (accessed 30 May 2017).

37. ‘South African judge blocks attempt to withdraw from ICC’, The Guardian, 22 February 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/22/south-african-judge-blocks-attempt-to-withdraw-from-international-criminal-court (accessed 30 May 2017).

38. ‘Leaving the ICC will “help SA negotiate peace in Africa”’, eNCA.com, 21 October 2016, http://www.enca.com/south-africa/leaving-the-icc-will-help-sa-negotiate-peace-in-africa-masutha (accessed 8 June 2017).

39. ‘Flood of condemnation of ICC withdrawal decision’, LegalBrief, 24 October 2016, http://legalbrief.co.za/diary/legalbrief-today/story/flood-of-condemnation-of-icc-withdrawal-decision/ (accessed 8 June 2017).

40. European Union, ‘Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on South Africa and Burundi and the International Criminal Court’, 21 October 2016, http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/10/21-south-africa-burundi-rome-statute/ (accessed 25 November 2016).

41. Helley D, ‘The EU–South Africa strategic partnership: Changing gear?’, European Strategic Partnership Observatory, Fride Egmont Policy Brief 7, 2012, p. 2.

42. European External Action Service Delegation to the AU, ‘Peace and security’, 2016, http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/african_union/eu_african_union/peace_and_security/index_en.htm (accessed 25 November 2016).

43. European Commission, ‘African Union Commission and European Commission meet to address shared EU–Africa challenges’, Press Release, Brussels, 4 April, 2016.

44. Ibid.

45. Van de Geer R, ‘South Africa and the European Union: 1994–2014 trends, developments and a perspective on the future’, University of South Africa, Pretoria, speech as Head of the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa, 2014, p. 2.

46. Fioramonti L & J Kotsopoulos, ‘The evolution of EU–South Africa relations: What influence on Africa?’, South African Journal of International Affairs, 22.4, 2015, pp. 463–464.