All our positions in the global village must first and foremost serve the national interest. By definition the national democratic revolution is an internationalist project. Our revolution is an integral part of the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movement for a new world order. Africa is part of us as we are part of Africa first and foremost. Our struggle is inextricably linked with the struggle against neo-colonialism and imperialism on our continent. Our pan-African and internationalist position informs our support for the struggles of the people of Western Sahara and Palestine for self-determination. It informs our solidarity with the people of Cuba and against the economic embargo on this revolutionary nation by the US, and our demands for institutional reform of the United Nations. We remain steadfast in our demand for the representation of Africa among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Comrades will recall the ANC decision for the country to withdraw from the International Criminal Court and subsequent government action to effect this decision. The government has begun to rectify the procedural challenges that have arisen. We have also taken note of the latest reluctance of other member states to withdraw en bloc. The current Government position is that the decision to withdraw was a principle matter and the principle still stands. As already indicated the ANC is part of the global anti-imperialist movement. We are historically connected with the countries of the South and therefore cooperation such as BRICS is primary for our movement. At the same time we are historically connected with the countries of the north with whom we have strong economic ties.
All our positions in the global village must first and foremost serve the national interest. By definition the national democratic revolution is an internationalist project. Our revolution is an integral part of the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movement for a new world order. Africa is part of us as we are part of Africa first and foremost. Our struggle is inextricably linked with the struggle against neo-colonialism and imperialism on our continent. Our pan-African and internationalist position informs our support for the struggles of the people of Western Sahara and Palestine for self-determination. It informs our solidarity with the people of Cuba and against the economic embargo on this revolutionary nation by the US, and our demands for institutional reform of the United Nations. We remain steadfast in our demand for the representation of Africa among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Comrades will recall the ANC decision for the country to withdraw from the International Criminal Court and subsequent government action to effect this decision. The government has begun to rectify the procedural challenges that have arisen. We have also taken note of the latest reluctance of other member states to withdraw en bloc. The current Government position is that the decision to withdraw was a principle matter and the principle still stands. As already indicated the ANC is part of the global anti-imperialist movement. We are historically connected with the countries of the South and therefore cooperation such as BRICS is primary for our movement. At the same time we are historically connected with the countries of the north with whom we have strong economic ties.
President-Jacob-Zuma-full-speech.docx