Libya–South Africa relations

Libyan-South African relations

Libya	South Africa

Libya–South Africa relations refer to the current and historical relationship between Libya and South Africa.

Political relations

• 1969-1994 - Gaddafi regime in Libya hostile to South African apartheid government, supporting anti-apartheid movements and ANC military training.^[1]
• 1990 - Nelson Mandela visits Gaddafi to thank him for support.^[2]
• 1994 - After apartheid ends, South Africa's ANC government shifts to friendly relations with Libya.^[3]
• 1994 - Mandela invites Gaddafi to his swearing-in ceremony, despite Western criticism.^[4]
• 1997 - South Africa bestows the Order of Good Hope on Gaddafi.^[5]
• 2011 - South Africa criticizes NATO's intervention in Libya; and supports African Union's peace plan.^[6]
• 2024 - Libya joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).^[7]

Military Relations

• 1970s-1990s - Libya provides military training and financial support to ANC combatants.^[1]
• 2011 - South Africa opposes NATO bombing of Gaddafi forces, maintains support for Gaddafi's government.^[8]

Economic relations

• 1994 - Bilateral trade and investment between South Africa and Libya increase significantly post-apartheid.^[3]
• 2011 - Post Gaddafi, South Africa slows to recognize the NTC; and is reluctant to unfreeze $1.5 billion of Libyan assets.^[9]

References

1. Meldrum, Andrew (August 25, 2011). "South Africa sticks by Gaddafi". global post. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
2. United Press International (May 19, 1990). "Mandela Visits Libya, Thanks Kadafi for Helping Train ANC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
3. "Bilateral Relations with Libya (Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)". South African Department of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
4. Rossouw, Mandy (March 21, 2009). "ANC's dodgy funders". Mail and Guardian. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
5. "Huff and puff". The Economist. Sep 3, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
6. McElroy, Damien (April 10, 2011). "Libya: Col Gaddafi 'accepts road map to peace'". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
7. "Bolivia joins South Africa's ICJ genocide case against Israel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
8. Snyman, Henning (26 July 2011). "A Reflection on South Africa's Engagements with the Middle East and North Africa". South African Institute of International Affairs. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
9. Child, Katherine (September 20, 2011). "SA recognises NTC as Libya's legitimate leaders". Mail and Guardian. Retrieved November 21, 2011.

Additional Sources

• McKaiser, Eusebius (August 21, 2011). SA's response to the Libyan crisis: An analysis, Politics Web, South Africa.