Strategic choices for South Africa as it enters 2020

This research paper outlines the strategic opportunities for South Africa in 2020 as it concurrently chairs the African Union (AU) and serves as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The author argues that South Africa can reclaim its continental prestige by focusing on three priority areas: conflict resolution ('Silencing the Guns'), the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), and the improvement of governance through the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

• South Africa has the opportunity to lead conflict resolution efforts in Africa, specifically targeting the 'Silencing the Guns' initiative. The document highlights the need to address extremist attacks in Kenya, Tanzania, and northern Mozambique, as well as instability in the Central African Republic, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It specifically identifies the internationalised civil war in Libya and the conflict in South Sudan as areas where South Africa should move the AU from the margins to the centre of resolution, despite the involvement of external actors who may be allies of South Africa.
• A primary economic objective for South Africa is ensuring the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) begins trading on 1 July 2020. The UN Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the agreement could increase intra-African trade by 52.3% through the removal of import duties, and potentially double that figure if non-tariff barriers are also reduced. Key priorities for implementation include finalising tariff schedules and rules of origin, and ensuring all member states deposit their instruments with the AU.
• South Africa aims to revitalize the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to promote good governance. Between 2004 and 2018, South Africa contributed $10.7 million to the APRM, representing a significant portion of the $48.8 million total income received from member states during that period. The document suggests that South Africa can lead by example as it undergoes its second APRM review, provided the peer forum remains honest and accountable regarding governance challenges.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). Strategic choices for South Africa as it enters 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/strategic-choices-for-south-africa-as-it-enters-2020/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Strategic choices for South Africa as it enters 2020. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/strategic-choices-for-south-africa-as-it-enters-2020/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Strategic choices for South Africa as it enters 2020 |date=21 February 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/strategic-choices-for-south-africa-as-it-enters-2020/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020strategic, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Strategic choices for South Africa as it enters 2020}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/strategic-choices-for-south-africa-as-it-enters-2020/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }