Ramaphosa reiterates SA 'won't choose sides' with global powers
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that South Africa
will not be forced to side with any global powers.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday evening ahead of this week's BRICS summit of major emerging economies in Johannesburg.
"Our country is committed to a policy of non-alignment. We have resisted pressure to align ourselves with any one of the global powers or with influential blocs of nations.
"While some of our detractors prefer overt support for their political and ideological choices, we will not be drawn into a contest between global powers.
Instead, our country strives to work with all countries for global peace and development."
The three-day meeting brings together leaders and representatives from Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The heads of African countries and those from the Caribbean, South America and the Middle East have been invited.
On the issue of global affairs, Ramamphosa repeated his call for a reformed United Nations.
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"Our support for the United Nations exists alongside our firm belief that this premier multilateral institution needs genuine reform to make it more democratic, representative and efficient.
"The United Nations Security Council must be transformed into a more inclusive, more effective body that is able to ensure peace and security. We are very pleased that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend the BRICS Summit at our invitation."
