South Africa’s Flirtation with Iran and Turkey

When Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), isn’t busy navigating the bureaucratic labyrinth, he’s apparently quite the globetrotter. His latest escapades? Rubbing elbows with the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister and then jet-setting to Iran to attend President H.E. Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration. How charming. But, in typical DIRCO fashion, our government’s foreign policy moves are as predictable as they are alarming.

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Above the then Deputy Minister of DIRCO Ronald Lamola with Ammar Hijazi at the ICJ. Hijazi is frequently seen with Shawan Jabarin of Al-Haq, who is linked to the PFLP and terrorist activity.

Let’s start with Iran, the land of unparalleled hypocrisy. This is a nation that executes its citizens with the zeal of a gardener pruning a hedge. Iran’s human rights violations are legendary: from public hangings to the ruthless suppression of any form of dissent. Women are stoned for alleged adultery, political prisoners are tortured, and the LGBTQ+ community lives in perpetual fear. Recent years have seen the imprisonment of human rights defenders and civil society activists, such as Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Gholian, who are routinely harassed, arrested, and prosecuted for seeking justice and accountability. The Iranian government employs systematic torture, including beatings, electric shocks, and mock executions, to extract confessions and punish dissenters​​. Naledi Pandor’s visit to Iran in October 2023 only solidified this unholy alliance, as she engaged with Iranian leaders on issues of “mutual interest”​.

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Turkey, on the other hand, is no stranger to human rights abuses either. Under President Erdoğan, the country has seen a dramatic erosion of democratic institutions. Journalists are jailed, political opponents are silenced, and minorities are oppressed. The recent crackdowns on freedom of speech and the press are chilling reminders of Turkey’s descent into authoritarianism. Yet, South African diplomats have been frequent visitors since October 7th, 2023, aligning with a regime that shows blatant disregard for human rights.

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Naledi Pandor’s tenure as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has been marked by a concerning alignment with anti-Semitic and extremist elements. Following the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, Pandor personally called Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, which many view as an implicit endorsement of the group’s violent actions. This call, made in the immediate aftermath of a brutal and unprovoked attack on civilians, underscores Pandor’s troubling bias. Her ministry’s continued camaraderie with extremist political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood, organizations known for their extremist ideologies, further cements her image as an ally to these radical factions. This pattern of behaviour not only tarnishes South Africa’s international reputation but also raises serious ethical and moral questions about the country’s foreign policy direction.

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So, what’s South Africa doing cozying up to these tyrannies? Critics have been vocal about our country’s inexplicable fondness for such repressive regimes. South Africa’s apparent alignment with Iran and Turkey raises eyebrows and questions about our foreign policy priorities. Are we really so desperate for allies that we’ll turn a blind eye to their egregious human rights violations?

DIRCO’s actions suggest a disturbing trend of taking orders from nations with a blatant disregard for human rights. This includes not only turning a blind eye to their atrocities but also seemingly aligning with their anti-Semitic agendas. Iran’s long-standing hostility towards Israel is well-documented, and Turkey’s recent political maneuvers have also raised concerns about its stance on Israel. South Africa’s own anti-Israel sentiments, reflected in the recent recall of diplomats from Tel Aviv, further align with this troubling trend​ (Times of Israel)​​ (India Today)​.

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The South African government’s relationship with these countries is more than just a diplomatic embarrassment; it’s a moral failing. By aligning ourselves with regimes that perpetuate violence and oppression, we compromise our own values and tarnish our international standing. It’s high time we reevaluate these toxic relationships and prioritize human rights and democracy over expedient alliances with tyrants.

So, Minister Lamola, next time you’re planning a diplomatic soiree, maybe consider the company you’re keeping. South Africa deserves better than to be seen as a puppet to oppressive regimes. And perhaps, just perhaps, our foreign policy should reflect the values of justice and human rights that we so proudly proclaim at home.