Germany and South Africa have jointly called for the United States and Iran to resume diplomatic negotiations, warning that the current ceasefire remains highly fragile and that renewed conflict could destabilise the broader international order.
The call was made during the 12th meeting of the German-South African Bi-National Commission held in Berlin on Monday, where German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola discussed bilateral ties as well as the worsening geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Both ministers stressed that the two-week ceasefire agreed on 6 April 2026 must be preserved and used as a window for renewed diplomatic engagement.
Wadephul said the international community had a strong interest in ensuring that negotiations continue.
“The ceasefire is holding, and both sides must make full use of this time,” he said.
The temporary truce followed intense international mediation efforts after talks in Pakistan collapsed over the weekend. The agreement was widely seen as a last-minute move to prevent a broader regional war.
South Africa reiterates support for diplomacy
Lamola reiterated Pretoria’s long-standing position that diplomacy remains the only sustainable route to peace.
He said South Africa had condemned the military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, describing them as inconsistent with international law.
At the same time, he said South Africa had also condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states.
“As South Africa, we believe in diplomacy. We are anti-war,” Lamola said.
He added that with negotiations already at an advanced stage, there had been no need for military escalation.
Lamola also criticised reports of maritime restrictions affecting vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz, saying any blockade would only worsen tensions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors, with a significant share of global oil and gas shipments passing through the narrow waterway.
Strategic partnership deepens beyond diplomacy
Alongside discussions on the Middle East, Germany and South Africa signed a 15-point cooperation framework that formally upgrades bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.
A key outcome was Germany’s announcement of a new €200 million concessional climate loan to support South Africa’s electricity grid expansion and renewable energy investment plans.
Additional cooperation was agreed in green hydrogen, battery value chains, critical minerals, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and vaccine manufacturing.
The meeting also marked the 30th anniversary of the Bi-National Commission, founded in 1996 by Nelson Mandela and Helmut Kohl.
Officials from both countries said the anniversary underscored the long-term diplomatic and economic significance of the partnership.
Source: DIRCO / Reuters / German Foreign Ministry
