South Africa Voices Firm Stance on International Security at UN

At a United Nations Security Council emergency session in New York on 6 January 2026, South Africa took a strong diplomatic stance on international security, condemning the recent unilateral military action by the United States against Venezuela and urging the global body to uphold the principles of peace, sovereignty and the UN Charter. Speaking on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Passmoor articulated Pretoria's deep concern that such military intervention undermines the bedrock of international law and threatens global stability. In his address to the 15-member council, Passmoor stressed that sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence are core tenets of the United Nations framework, which prohibits the use of force except in narrowly defined circumstances. He emphasised that allegations of criminality or internal governance issues do not justify cross-border military action without lawful backing and warned that permitting such actions to go unchecked could erode confidence in the rules-based international order that protects smaller and developing states. South Africa's statement reflected a broader call for restraint, respect for international norms and peaceful conflict resolution, urging the Security Council to lead in addressing the crisis through constructive diplomacy. The government reiterated its belief that sustainable peace is grounded in dialogue and cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to the UN's mission of international peace and security.