South Africa's foreign policy response towards transitional government in Africa

South Africa's decision to support the sanctions imposed by the African Union (AU) to refrain from political engagements with suspended AU member states has created a significant challenge for diplomatic missions, especially in the case of transitional states captured by coups or Unconstitutional Government Changes (UCGs). Consequently, diplomats have had to deal with and interact with new political decision-makers whose legitimacy remains questionable. Hence, South Africa's foreign policy positionality must be more consistent concerning responding to unlawful UCGs. The acknowledgement of confirmation letters from designated heads of mission from Mali and Sudan, which are currently under suspension from participating in AU activities by the Head of State, illustrates that there is inconsistency and a lack of coherence in applying sanctions to address and deal with the suspension of Member States that have experienced UCG or coups. The nature and outcome of the abovementioned engagements demonstrate that South Africa cannot exert significant influence over regional and bilateral institutions to demonstrate sympathy and offer the AU support and reinforcement against suspended states because UCGs and coups pose significant challenges to political stability, democracy, and Africa's socio-economic growth. Consequently, this has left ECOWAS and other AU member states that contributed substantially to the liberation movements that helped South Africa realise their political freedom through material capabilities and resources, questioning the mandate of South Africa's foreign policy position.