Question NW1612 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Reply:

(A) Commonwealth

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is not aware that Cabinet has discussed South Africa’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth. Since its return to the Commonwealth in 1994, South Africa has participated in summits, ministerial meetings and the governing bodies of the Commonwealth and worked closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat, contributing politically, financially, and in terms of capacity and expertise to the work of the Organisation. The work of the Commonwealth is in line with South Africa’s foreign policy commitments to human rights, democracy, good governance, justice and international law, peace, economic development, multilateralism, and promoting the African Agenda. For South Africa, the Commonwealth provides a platform to forge common approaches to these matters of global importance, and to promote trade, investment and the exchange of skills and knowledge between countries. In this regard, South Africa has worked together with fellow Commonwealth member countries to promote the value, relevance and effectiveness of the association.

(B) International Criminal Court

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is not aware that Cabinet has discussed the withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 1 June 2019. This matter falls under the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.