Pretoria: South Africa and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to international law and multilateralism. This featured prominently during discussions between Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Germany's Federal Foreign Minister, Dr Johann Wadephul, during the German Minister's working visit to South Africa. According to South African Government News Agency, following a tête-à-tête and official bilateral talks, the Ministers addressed the media and outlined areas of agreement and disagreement on some of the world's most pressing conflicts. Lamola stated that respect for international law was a central theme of the discussions. From South Africa's perspective, he emphasized that the application of international law must be consistent and free from selective interpretation. Lamola criticized what he described as the continued failure to implement provisional measures issued by international courts regarding Israel's conduct in Gaza. He was clear about the numerous provi sional orders that have been ignored by Israel. On the conflict involving Iran, Lamola argued that the military confrontation could have been avoided, as negotiations on Iran's nuclear program were at an advanced stage before hostilities erupted. He emphasized South Africa's advocacy for diplomacy and negotiations as the sustainable path to peace. The Minister reiterated South Africa's stance on the war in Ukraine, advocating for any settlement to be anchored in international law and respect for sovereignty. He highlighted President Cyril Ramaphosa's ongoing engagement with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of peace efforts. Lamola noted that President Zelensky expressed readiness to return to negotiations, provided they occur at a neutral venue. The Ministers also discussed conflicts on the African continent, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Lamola described Sudan as one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies and called for an immedi ate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access. South Africa supports African Union-led efforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The discussions underscored a long-standing bilateral relationship between South Africa and Germany, built on democratic values, economic cooperation, and support for multilateral institutions. Despite differences on some geopolitical issues, both Ministers emphasized the importance of dialogue and engagement in resolving conflicts and defending the international rules-based order.
