WATCH: ‘It’s been made a weapon by some against others’ – Naledi Pandor on UN

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor has shared her thoughts on Africa’s relationship with Russia and an alleged lack of diversity within the structures of the United Nations.

The minister is accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of a South African delegation at the second instalment of the Russia-Africa Summit.

UN a ‘weapon’

During an interview with Russian state television RT, Pandor shared concerns about the United Nations (UN), urging diversity at the global body.

“From time to time, the United Nations has been used for political ends. It’s been made a weapon by some against others. We have to end that and I think having diversity in its structures and mechanisms allowing for democratic processes.”

Fair trade

Pandor also called for fair trade and said the world cannot be held hostage by one system.

“We need to have greater fairness in world trade, and we need to ensure again that financial systems and institutions are not politicised to a level that they become a barrier to trade. Having greater diversity is extremely important because once you attach to one currency or one system, you then become somewhat of a hostage, and that is what we have got to end,” Pandor said.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa is expected to meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit to discuss the Ukraine war, trade and the BRICS gathering.

SA’s relationship with Russia

Pandor said Russia is important to South Africa.

“The relationship that has been built up over many years, between Africa and Russia, is a very important relationship for us, particularly South Africa – given the role the people of Russia played in our own struggle for freedom.”

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News24 reported in March that during the opening of the South Africa-Russia Joint Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation with Russian National Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov in Pretoria, Pandor said the two countries will not become sudden enemies “on the demand of others”.

“There are some who don’t wish us to have relations with an old historical friend. We have made it clear that Russia is a friend, and we have had cooperative partnerships for many, many years.

“While we are friends with many all over the world, we cannot become sudden enemies on the demand of others,” Pandor said.

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