Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
diplomacylatest news & developments

Pretoria says Ghana and Nigeria's 'isolation campaign' will fail

South Africa's Presidency has welcomed Ghana and Nigeria's proposal for an African Union debate on migration, but firmly states that attempts to use the issue to diplomatically…

A salute to ambassador Peschke for strengthening partnerships

BMW Montana expresses its gratitude to Ambassador Andreas Peschke for his exceptional contributions to fostering stronger ties between Germany and South Africa, highlighting his…

Sala kahle, Mzansi

Germany's ambassador reflects on five impactful years in South Africa, highlighting the deep and wide-ranging relationship between the two countries, from economic partnerships…

Migration tests SA's standing in Africa

The diplomatic fallout from South Africa’s migration tensions escalated this week after The Presidency accused Ghana of helping to drive a campaign portraying Pretoria as…

South Africa’s SADC’s moment

As South Africa prepares to host the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, the article reflects on the state of democracy in the region and SADC's challenges in upholding its commitments.…

Mantashe calls for deeper Rwanda-SA cooperation as Kwibohora 32 marks new diplomatic chapter

ANC national chairperson and Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe called for deeper cooperation between Rwanda and South Africa, saying stronger bilateral…

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Presidency accuses Ghana of leading campaign against South Africa

The Presidency has accused Ghana of leading what it describes as a campaign to falsely portray South Africa as increasingly isolated on the continent, saying the issue has…

Unauthorised meeting: The duke and duchess of Windsor visiting Hitler projected a dangerous dual authority by undermining the British government’s
position on Germany. Foreign adversaries sought to exploit this. Photo: The Heartfield Community of Heirs/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2020

Dangerous game of parallel diplomacy

South Africa faces systemic weaknesses when non-state actors engage in parallel diplomacy, undermining official foreign policy and risking national security and global influence.…

President Cyril Ramaphosa

The Ramaphosa ‘snub’ that never was

The Presidency has dismissed reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa requested a state visit to Ghana, saying no such visit had been planned. The claims, first published by…

Foul: For the US, the lesson is not so different to the lesson for South Africa after the opening World Cup game against Mexico: stay in the room. Photo: Screenshot/Fifa

Red cards and peace treaties

Drawing parallels between South Africa's World Cup red cards and US foreign policy, this article argues that America's approach to Iran has been self-defeating. It explores the…

Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa

Youth Month 2026: Building peace around migration through diplomacy and ubuntu

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, South Africa's Youth Month focuses on building peace around migration. The article highlights the importance of…

Newly appointed US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III

Trump envoy arrives in Pretoria amid stormy US-SA relations

The US has not had a permanent ambassador to South Africa since January 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to assist in efforts to bring home 17 South African men caught in the Russia-Ukraine war. (Russian Embassy in South Africa/X)

Ramaphosa secures Putin’s support for the return of 17 South Africans caught in Russia-Ukraine war

The men found themselves trapped in the conflict after being allegedly lured to Russia by uMkhonto weSizwe’s Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla

South Africa on Friday expelled Israel’s chargé d’affaires Ariel Seidman, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours

UPDATED: South Africa expels Israel’s chargé d’affaires Ariel Seidman

The department of international relations and cooperation said the move — which prompted a retaliatory measure by Israel — was a response to conduct inconsistent with diplomatic…

President Donald J. Trump Speaking to supporters in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Photo: Trump Facebook Page

MAGA set to shape US foreign policy for years to come

This policy did not emerge in a vacuum; it is part of a larger wave of populism reshaping global governance

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the opening session of the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay,File)

Ramaphosa to push for tariff relief, address refugee claims in US visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will use his Washington visit to demand an end to US trade tariffs and counter refugee claims of racial persecution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short a trip to South Africa after Russian drone and missile strikes which killed at least eight people and injured about 80

Zelenskyy pleads for global pressure against Russia after renewed attacks on Kyiv

The Ukrainian president cut short a trip to South Africa after Russian drone and missile strikes which killed at least eight people and injured about 80

Glucksman Ireland House NYU and NYU Pipes and Drums march in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 16, 2019. (Kate Lord/New York University)

Looking to the future with confidence this St Patrick’s Day

Ireland salutes its strong links with South Africa as the countries work together in an uncertain world

US President Donald Trump said this week that the tariff is meant to address the trade imbalance between South Africa and the US. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/picture alliance)

Diplomacy by tweet: Trump, the spectacle and the politics of chaos

To resist this performance politics, characterised by shock-and-awe tactics through social media, we must organise and mobilise in different spaces rather than merely engaging…

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola. Photo: Phill Magakoe/Gallo Images

SA downplays icing of Russian foreign minister as ‘family photo’ cancelled

South Africa attributes the cancellation of a photograph of foreign ministers at the G20 meeting to logistical constraints, rather than Western diplomats avoiding Russia’s Sergey…