Coming into its own: An analysis of South Africa’s voting patterns and the achievement of its foreign policy goals in the UNSC

This research paper analyzes South Africa's voting patterns and foreign policy achievements during its first (2007-2008) and second (2011-2012) terms as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The author finds that South Africa has become more confident, increasing its co-sponsorship of resolutions and successfully promoting its 'African Agenda,' particularly regarding cooperation between the UNSC and the African Union (AU).

• South Africa's activity in the UNSC increased significantly during its second term, specifically regarding the co-sponsorship of resolutions. In 2011 alone, South Africa co-sponsored 10 resolutions, compared to only two in 2007 and four in 2008.
• South Africa demonstrated improved cooperation with other African nations and global partners during its second term. All 10 resolutions it co-sponsored in 2011 were supported by Nigeria and Gabon, and many included partners from the Global South (India and Lebanon) and the Global North (UK, France, Portugal, Germany, and USA).
• There has been a marked increase in the proportion of UNSC resolutions focused on African issues. In 2011, 65% of the 66 total resolutions (43 in total) concerned Africa, whereas during South Africa's first tenure, 56% of the 123 total resolutions involved the continent.
• South Africa has successfully pushed for stronger institutional ties between the UN and the AU. This effort culminated in the adoption of Resolution 2033 following a High-Level debate convened by South Africa on 12 January 2012 during its Presidency of the Council.
• South Africa's voting record shows a tendency to prioritize regional mediation and the AU's position over human rights pillars in specific cases. For example, it voted against sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2008 and abstained from a resolution on Myanmar in its first term, arguing these matters were better suited for the Human Rights Council.
• South Africa advocates for a permanent seat for Africa on the UNSC, citing that over 70% of deliberations center on African conflicts and nearly 80% of UN peacekeepers are deployed in Africa.
• The author notes a strategic failure in South Africa's support for Resolution 1973 on Libya, which diverged from the abstentions of its BRICS counterparts and led to subsequent backtracking that affected its international stature.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2012). Coming into its own: An analysis of South Africa’s voting patterns and the achievement of its foreign policy goals in the UNSC. https://saiia.org.za/research/coming-into-its-own-an-analysis-of-south-africas-voting-patterns-and-the-achievement-of-its-foreign-policy-goals-in-the-unsc/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Coming into its own: An analysis of South Africa’s voting patterns and the achievement of its foreign policy goals in the UNSC. 2012. https://saiia.org.za/research/coming-into-its-own-an-analysis-of-south-africas-voting-patterns-and-the-achievement-of-its-foreign-policy-goals-in-the-unsc/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Coming into its own: An analysis of South Africa’s voting patterns and the achievement of its foreign policy goals in the UNSC |date=7 May 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/coming-into-its-own-an-analysis-of-south-africas-voting-patterns-and-the-achievement-of-its-foreign-policy-goals-in-the-unsc/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2012coming, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Coming into its own: An analysis of South Africa’s voting patterns and the achievement of its foreign policy goals in the UNSC}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = may, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/coming-into-its-own-an-analysis-of-south-africas-voting-patterns-and-the-achievement-of-its-foreign-policy-goals-in-the-unsc/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }