South Africa’s Diplomatic Aspirations Undermined By Military Weakness

South Africa has long positioned itself as a champion of the “global south,” using its diplomatic influence to challenge Western dominance and advocate for developing nations.

However, the recent deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have exposed the country’s struggle to project hard power within Africa.

A Contradiction in Influence

As the country assumes the G20 presidency this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken strong stances on international issues, from opposing U.S. hegemony to criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Yet its military shortcomings in Africa have weakened its credibility. The ongoing conflict in the DRC, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have taken control of Goma, has left South African troops struggling without a clear exit strategy, raising serious questions about the country’s military readiness.

According to Liesl Louw-Vaudran of the International Crisis Group, this crisis is a “blow to South Africa’s standing on the continent.”

Instead of uniting African nations, the situation has exacerbated tensions between Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, both of whom have engaged in public disputes over the crisis. Ramaphosa has blamed the violence on M23 and the Rwandan army, while Kagame has denied involvement, despite UN reports suggesting otherwise.

A Domestic Backlash

At home, the country’s handling of the crisis has fuelled public frustration. Images of the country’s top military officials playing golf during the conflict sparked outrage. The Democratic Alliance (DA), the ANC’s largest coalition partner, has accused the government of failing to adequately equip and prepare deployed troops.

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has dismissed these claims, insisting that South African forces in the DRC have sufficient resources. However, critics argue that the military’s struggles stem from years of declining capability.

Military Decline and Strategic Missteps

The South African military’s failures in peace enforcement efforts are not new. Similar issues arose in the Central African Republic and Mozambique, where logistical shortcomings, inadequate ammunition, and insufficient air support hampered operations. Chris Vandome of Chatham House has noted that these problems have fuelled perceptions that South Africa deploys forces without providing them the necessary resources to succeed.

Defence spending has plummeted from 1.5% of GDP in the late 1990s to just 0.7% today, according to Darren Olivier of the African Defence Review. This gap between South Africa’s diplomatic ambitions and its military capacity has left the country overextended and vulnerable.

Reckoning for South Africa’s Global Strategy

The DRC crisis has forced a reassessment of South Africa’s ability to balance diplomacy with military action. While it remains a vocal advocate for global south interests, its inability to support these positions with military strength risks undermining its credibility.

As Olivier warns, “South Africa is trying to act as though it still has the military strength of a decade ago. It’s delusional.”

Unless the government commits to rebuilding its military capability, South Africa risks further setbacks in both its continental influence and global aspirations.

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