A critical analysis of South Africa pursuit of an African Agenda at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) (2007/2008 and 2011/2012)

Abstract

South Africa participated in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2007–2008 and again in 2011–2012 as a non-permanent member within the context of a multipolar global power configuration. It was a global environment in which Africa as a continent remained economically and politically marginalized as a result of colonialism and forms of neo-colonialism. The assumption of the seat in the UNSC followed the country’s transition from a pariah state to a democratic one since the dawn of democracy in 1994.South Africa has sought to play an integral role on the world stage as an economic leader in Southern Africa, a diplomatic representative of the African Agenda on the global stage and a good global citizen. Both administrations of President Thabo Mbeki and President Jacob Zuma adopted foreign policy strategies that sought to advance the African Agenda during the country’s tenures in the UNSC. This study seeks to address the question of how South Africa pursued the African Agenda during both tenures. The study uses desk top research by looking at the primary and secondary material on the role of South Africa during both tenures. In addition, elite interviews using semi-structured questionnaires were conducted with officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The theoretical framework adopted in this study is the decolonial thought which as analytical framework illustrated how the country was able to reimagine its being, power and knowledge in advancing the African Agenda in order to bring tangible changes within the UNSC.