Ramaphosa: only Palestinian self-determination can ensure lasting peace

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East is impossible without Palestinian self-determination and the recognition of their fundamental human rights. Addressing his party's National General Council near Johannesburg on Monday, Ramaphosa argued that Israel's daily violations of the Gaza ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe necessitate continued international pressure and a definitive political solution.

Condemning ceasefire violations and the ICJ case

President Ramaphosa expressed grave concern that Israel is "breaking the ceasefire almost on a daily basis" since the October 10 agreement. He contextualized South Africa's landmark case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), stating that the atrocities witnessed in Gaza—where over 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed—prompted Pretoria to argue Israel is violating the Genocide Convention. The ICJ has since issued provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts.

A consistent call for a two-state solution

Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa's core diplomatic demands: an immediate and permanent ceasefire, followed by meaningful negotiations to establish a sovereign Palestinian state existing peacefully alongside Israel. This position aligns with South Africa's long-standing criticism of Israeli policies, rooted in its own history of anti-apartheid struggle and a foreign policy that emphasizes self-determination and human rights.

Broader African peace initiatives

Beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Ramaphosa highlighted Africa's engagement in other global crises. He voiced concern over the "horrific suffering" in Sudan's civil war and noted South Africa's participation in various peace processes, including the African leaders' peace initiative for Ukraine. He referenced the 2023 mission where he and other African heads of state traveled to Kyiv and Saint Petersburg to urge dialogue between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin.