Political Tensions Shake South Africa's Unity Government

South Africa's unity government is facing internal strife as the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance clash over foreign policy matters and domestic legislation. Recent issues include visa rules for Ukrainians and differing views on Russia at a BRICS summit, highlighting growing divisions within the coalition.

South Africa's unity government is experiencing significant discord as rifts have surfaced between its leading political entities, namely the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). This turmoil was triggered by a dispute surrounding a proposal to grant visa-free entry to Ukrainians holding diplomatic and official passports, initially announced by Democratic Alliance's home affairs minister, Leon Schreiber.

Despite Schreiber's announcement, President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman and the ANC have opposed the agreement. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula stressed that the President would not authorize the deal, reflecting the growing communications gap within the unity government established after the ANC's lackluster performance in the recent elections.

Further disputes have been fueled by President Ramaphosa's comments at a BRICS summit in Russia, which were publicly countered by DA leader John Steenhuisen. While Ramaphosa emphasized South Africa's historical allegiance to Russia, Steenhuisen issued a statement dissociating the DA from these views, thereby magnifying existing tensions. These disputes, alongside domestic policy disagreements like the education bill, paint a picture of a fragile coalition under strain.

(With inputs from agencies.)