The Contribution Of South Africa’s Humanitarian And Development Aid Efforts To Conflict Resolution And Peace In Africa

Abstract

The international political landscape is shaped by humanitarian intervention (HI),
which manifests in various forms. South Africa has rejected the global system of
organised power that upholds the supremacy of hegemonic states in its foreign
policy. Recent international initiatives have fuelled the debate over humanitarian
intervention. Scholars view HI through the legal lens, whereas others perceive it
as a political or moral decision. The paper aims to discuss the traditional method
of assessing humanitarian interventions by examining a combination of motives
and intentions. Fifteen journal articles on humanitarian intervention, conflict
resolution and peace in Africa were analysed. The findings show that HI involves
deploying military actions, providing aid, protecting rights, and enforcing peace
agreements. South Africa has made significant contributions to humanitarian
efforts in Africa, particularly in mediating peace processes in countries like
Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Lesotho through
its diplomacy and peacekeeping efforts. The country’s global strategy emphasises
tackling issues like underdevelopment, labour distribution, wealth disparity,
poverty, transnational influence, and the implications of progressive governance.
South Africa offered humanitarian support to different countries during natural
disasters, which assisted the well-being of refugees and internally displaced
persons. Such support includes initiatives like the Treatment Action Campaign
(TAC), the provision of antiretroviral therapy and the humanitarian aid to Gaza.
South Africa has contributed significantly to improving access to healthcare for
those affected by COVID-19 and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. The paper
concludes that South Africa’s contributions to humanitarian efforts in Africa have
been diverse and impactful, ranging from peacekeeping and conflict resolution to
healthcare and disaster relief initiatives.