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Exports

South Africa Reaffirms Neutrality, Blocks Arms Export to Ukraine

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

South Africa has remained committed to its longstanding tradition of neutrality, with the African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula unequivocally stating that the country will not export arms to Ukraine. Made at the Liberation Movements Summit 2025, this stance has been reemphasized in the face of global pressure and increasing scrutiny of arms manufacturers. The decision follows the country's involvement in past controversies, including the use of South African-made arms in the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen and recent allegations of white phosphorus grenade use in Sudan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ANC has decided to block the export of weapons and ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine, consistent with South Africa's constitutional values and foreign policy traditions.
  • The country's defense industry, including public and private manufacturers, will not participate in any way in the current war, with Secretary-General Mbalula emphasizing that "peace cannot be outsourced to artillery."
  • South Africa's stance is a reaffirmation of its historical commitment to non-alignment and neutrality, reflecting a strong national psyche rooted in the aftermath of apartheid.
  • The National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) has faced criticism for inactivity and lack of transparency in regulating arms exports, with Mbalula's speech addressing these concerns.
  • The decision is not anti-European but pro-peace, with Mbalula pointing out that South African arms manufacturers will not be allowed to export weapons or ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine.
  • This stance may not change the course of the war in Ukraine but indicates that some countries still believe in principles, even if it costs them something.
  • The ANC is attempting to reassert control over an arms industry whose operations have outpaced democratic oversight.
  • The government has been under pressure to reconsider its stance in light of the global demand for weaponry triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
  • Rheinmetall, a dominant force in the global arms trade, has been subject to scrutiny for its involvement in exporting arms to countries with weaker export oversight.
  • The story of Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), a joint venture between Rheinmetall and South Africa's state arms company Denel, has become a symbol of South Africa's entanglement in foreign wars.
  • A recent court ruling forced officials to release export data, revealing arms sales to the Gulf coalition and ongoing concerns about South Africa's role in fueling violence abroad.

Statistics:

  • Since 2021, the South African High Court has forced the release of export data that confirmed arms sales to the Gulf coalition.
  • 40mm white phosphorus grenades are officially manufactured only by Rheinmetall subsidiaries in the United States and South Africa, raising concerns about South Africa's role in fueling violence abroad.
  • The global demand for weaponry triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has generated a frenzy of procurement across Europe and beyond, with companies like Rheinmetall scaling up production of artillery shells and armored vehicles to meet NATO needs.
  • South Africa's decision to block arms exports to Ukraine is a reaffirmation of its historical commitment to non-alignment and neutrality.

Sources:

  • "South African Arms Makers Remain Non-Committal on Exporting Arms to Ukraine" by InfoWire (2025)
  • The story of Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), a joint venture between Rheinmetall and South Africa's state arms company Denel.

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