South Africa–United Arab Emirates relations

South African-United Arab Emirates relations refer to the bilateral relations between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. South Africa has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Pretoria.

Emirati-South African relations
Map indicating locations of United Arab Emirates and South Africa

United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Envoy

History

Diplomatic relations began when Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan visited South Africa in 1994 for the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela. The first UAE ambassador arrived in South Africa on 12 November 1995.[1]

Economic relations

Economic ties between South Africa and the UAE have been particularly strong, with the UAE serving as an important trade and investment partner for South Africa in the Middle East. South Africa is one of the largest trading partners of the UAE in Africa, with bilateral trade between the two countries valued at over $3 billion in 2013.[2] By 2021, South Africa exported US$4.47 billion to the UAE with the most significant exports being gold, diamonds and ferroalloys whilst the UAE exported US$ 2.4 billion mostly consisting of petroleum products and copper.[3]

Cultural relations

Cultural exchanges between South Africa and the UAE have also been significant, with both countries hosting various events and festivals to showcase their respective cultures. South African artists and performers have participated in events in the UAE, while Emirati cultural delegations have visited South Africa to promote intercultural understanding and cooperation.

Gupta family incident

In recent years, there have been some challenges in the South African-UAE relationship. In 2022, two wanted fugitives, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, were arrested in the UAE on an Interpol red notice issued by South Africa to face fraud and money-laundering charges.[4][5][6] The Guptas were controversially released by the UAE on a technicality[7][8] with both government blaming each other for the failed extradition.[9] It was reported in South Africa that the South African government was informed of the failed extradition six weeks after the Guptas lawyers had been informed thereby giving the Guptas time to leave the country.[10] This caused a serious diplomatic incident between the two countries.[11]

A few days after it was announced in South Africa that the Guptas would not be extradited to South Africa it was reported in the South African media that President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his family landed at the Waterkloof Air Force Base during their vacation to a South African game lodge in the Eastern Cape. The landing drew comparisons to the illegal landing of Gupta family members (known as Guptagate) at the same air force base to attend a wedding 10 years before.[12][13] During the same trip Al Nahyan had also landed at Bhisho Airport following a R20 million upgrade to it paid for by the UAE.[14][15]

See also

References
  1. "The United Arab Emirates". South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  2. "South Africa, UAE bilateral trade valued at $3 billion". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  3. "South Africa (ZAF) and United Arab Emirates (ARE) Trade | OEC". OEC - The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  4. "Interpol red notice: what it means and why SA requested it". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  5. "Atul and Rajesh Gupta nabbed in Dubai - report". Eyewitness News. 6 June 2022.
  6. "South Africa: Wealthy Gupta brothers arrested in UAE". BBC News. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  7. Haffajee, Ferial (2023-04-12). "THE GREAT ESCAPE : Dubai prosecutors confirmed in writing that the Gupta extradition documents were in order". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  8. "'Undermined' SA vows diplomatic blitz to arrest Guptas". Moneyweb. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  9. Maughan, Karyn. "SA and UAE blame each other for Gupta extradition failure - but who's telling the truth?". News24. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  10. "UAE refuses South Africa's extradition request for Gupta brothers". The Mail & Guardian. 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  11. Haffajee, Ferial (2023-04-12). "GREAT ESCAPE: South Africa set to démarche UAE ambassador on Guptas' extradition judgment failure". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  12. Dayimani, Malibongwe. "10 years since the Guptas at Waterkloof, UAE royals quietly landed at a South African military base". News24. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  13. Dentlinger, Lindsay. "Cope, ATM call on Ramaphosa to justify UAE president's 'backdoor entry' into SA". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  14. Dayimani, Malibongwe. "UAE president lands in Eastern Cape on R20m runway he built for himself and his entourage". News24. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  15. Nkanjeni, Unathi (24 April 2023). "'Did SA do everything required or is it another Gupta agreement?': Reactions to UAE president landing in Bhisho". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
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