Navigating US-South Africa relations in a multipolar world

THE most challenging emotion for any African international relations observer and ordinary person today is processing the current US administration’s stance against South Africa, in particular, and Africa in general.

- GIDEON CHITANGA

The legacy of the US in Africa may be problematic and mostly detrimental to the African population. But Trump 1.0 and 2.0 have demonstrated shocking derisive contempt for the continent and its people.

Depending on which side of the debate one is on, the US could be the world's number one superpower or a rapidly declining one. The rise of a multipolar world and global pluralism, which recognises the emergence of other civilisations and nations, and their right to chart their foreign policies as long as they align and recognise the United Nations Charter, must be recognised.

Although the African continent bled its most important asset, its human resources, through the slave trade, and was later subjected to close to a century of colonialism, its contribution to human civilisation through intellectual production and culture, abundant natural resources and trade, and the struggle for independence, self determination and national sovereignty should never be taken for granted.

There is no doubt about the realisation and direction the continent needs to take, despite many national challenges. Africa is part of a fast-changing world order in which genuine friendships, partnerships and solidarity informed by empathetic historical understanding of its contradictions and choices could steer a robust path towards development.

China's emergence as the second-largest economy signifies a shift towards a multipolar world, fostering genuine multilateralism and strengthening ties among countries in the Global South.