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Johannesburg, Jan. 9 — South Africa has reaffirmed its firm commitment to a rules-based international order founded on international law, multilateralism, and the central role of the United Nations, Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said on Friday.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Foreign Policy Outlook in Rustenburg, North West Province, Lamola stressed that the principle of “might is right” must not be allowed to dominate global affairs. He underscored that respect for the rule of law remains essential for global stability, legitimacy, and effective governance.
Lamola warned that unilateral actions undermine the foundations of multilateralism, citing recent military actions and violations of sovereignty as threats to the UN Charter. He said such actions risk weakening international institutions and eroding the collective commitment to peace and cooperation.
He noted that the current period of geopolitical tension represents a defining moment for the international system, one that will determine whether the United Nations fulfills its promise or whether the world regresses into conflict, fragmentation, and inequality.
Reaffirming South Africa’s foreign policy principles, Lamola emphasized that respect for territorial integrity and restraint from the use of force are fundamental obligations of all states, adding that peace and stability are indivisible in an interconnected world.