UN voting record · Africa
How South Africa votes at the UN
South Africa votes with the developing-country majority at the United Nations. In 2025 it agreed with China on 92% of recorded votes (votes where each country's choice is listed), with India on 91%, with Russia on 81% and with the United States on 9%. It abstains on resolutions condemning Russia over Ukraine, and it brought a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
- 92%
With ChinaIn 2024: 82% - 91%
With IndiaIn 2024: 85% - 81%
With RussiaIn 2024: 64% - 9%
With the USIn 2024: 37%
Share of recorded General Assembly votes on which South Africa and each country voted the same way, 2025.
Does South Africa vote with China or the US at the UN?
South Africa does not vote as a bloc with either country. It votes inside the African Group (the UN's 54 African members), the Group of 77 (a coalition of developing countries) and the Non-Aligned Movement (countries that do not join any major power's bloc). China and India vote with that same majority. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola wrote in September 2025 that "Non-alignment is strategic independence."
Agreement with the United States fell from 37% in 2024 to 9% in 2025, mostly because the United States changed course.
Why does South Africa abstain on Ukraine?
South Africa says resolutions condemning Russia do not help negotiations. Mathu Joyini, then South Africa's ambassador to the UN, said in March 2022 that the text "does not create an environment conducive for diplomacy, dialogue, and mediation." In February 2025, South Africa's representative said Ukraine's text did not fit the new push for a negotiated settlement.
South Africa does not abstain on every Ukraine text. It voted yes on the United States text as amended by the European Union in February 2025 and yes on the return of Ukrainian children in December 2025. In its explanation of that vote, South Africa said "sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states remain inviolable." On February 24, 2026 it abstained on a resolution titled "Support for lasting peace in Ukraine."
- Mar 2022"Aggression against Ukraine"141 yes, 5 no, 35 abstainedAbstained
- Oct 2022"Territorial integrity of Ukraine"143 yes, 5 no, 35 abstainedAbstained
- Feb 2025A just and lasting peace93 yes, 18 no, 65 abstainedAbstained
- Feb 2025The US text as amended, "The path to peace"93 yes, 8 no, 73 abstainedYes
- Dec 2025Return of Ukrainian children91 yes, 12 no, 57 abstainedYes
How does South Africa vote on Israel and Gaza?
South Africa has voted yes on every recent Gaza and Palestine text at the General Assembly. It co-sponsored the June 2025 ceasefire text. On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel's foreign ministry said it "rejects with disgust" the case and called it a "blood libel."
The court has not yet ruled on whether Israel committed genocide. South Africa's next written filing is due on November 22, 2027, and Israel's reply is due on May 22, 2029. At the September 2025 vote endorsing the New York Declaration, a plan for a two-state settlement, South Africa's representative said the genocide in Gaza was continuing, a charge Israel rejects.
Which countries vote most like South Africa?
Compare with any country →South Africa's closest voting partners in 2025 were developing countries from every region, led by Bangladesh, Guinea-Bissau, Somalia, Eswatini, Chad and Turkmenistan at 99%. Brazil and Nigeria agreed on 98%. Its least alike countries are the United States, Israel and Argentina.
Bangladesh99%
Guinea-Bissau99%
Somalia99%
Eswatini99%
Chad99%
Turkmenistan99%
6 countries at 99%
- United States9%
Israel23%
Argentina35%
Nauru65%
Paraguay71%
How did South Africa vote on the big votes?
| Vote | South Africa | United States | China | Russia | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A just and lasting peace in UkraineFebruary 24, 2025 | Abstained | No | Abstained | No | Adopted 93–18 |
| Russia's invasion of UkraineMarch 2, 2022 | Abstained | Yes | Abstained | No | Adopted 141–5 |
| Demanding a permanent ceasefire in GazaJune 12, 2025 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Adopted 149–12 |
| The New York Declaration on two statesSeptember 12, 2025 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Adopted 142–10 |
| Ending the US embargo on CubaOctober 29, 2025 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Adopted 165–7 |
Where does South Africa sit?
South Africa sits in the large developing-country group on the left of the strip, near Brazil and India.
Brazil
United Kingdom