Foreign relations of South Africa

South Africa was a founding member of the League of Nations and in 1927 established a Department of External Affairs with diplomatic missions in the main Western European countries and in the United States.

South Africa introduced apartheid in 1948, as a systematic extension of pre-existing racial discrimination in the country.

South Africa has played a key role in seeking an end to various conflicts and political crises on the African continent, including in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Comoros, and Zimbabwe.

[91] To this day, the economy of Namibia is still closely contacted to South Africa through both institutional relationships (Southern African Customs Union, for example) and privately owned mining concessions.

[93] In recent years, following the political crisis in the country, the ex-president Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and Zanu PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism.

[94] Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and has urged the parties to form a unity government.

Bilateral relations between the countries have recently increased, as a result of Brazil's new South-South foreign policy aimed to strengthen integration between the major powers of the developing world.

Canada established its diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1939, along with other nations, due to the outbreak of World War II.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela made an official state visit to Canada in September 1998.

A 2003 visit by President Thabo Mbeki in November 2003, the Joint Declaration of Intent was signed to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The United States has maintained an official presence in South Africa since 1799, when a US consulate was opened in Cape Town.

It severed official relations with South Africa in 1979 and imposed a trade boycott in protest against the country's apartheid policies.

However, in January 1994, Iran lifted all trade and economic sanctions against South Africa and diplomatic relations were reestablished on 10 May 1994.

Interest Offices between South Africa and Bulgaria were opened initially in November 1990 and full diplomatic relations was established on 2 February 1992.

Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, G20, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the SACUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement.