South Africa’s four-month-old unity government has been shaken by differences between its two major parties over the country’s relationship with Russia.

The African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) as well as almost nine other political parties formed the government of national unity after all of them failed to win enough support in an election held in May to control parliament. 

Due to the formation of the new administration, confidence in the continent’s most developed economy has been rising.   

However, the two parties have differed lately on numerous issues, the latest being President Cyril Ramaphosa’s praise for Russia during the recent BRICS+ summit in Kazan.

“We are rather pleased with your support in every respect we have been able to reach this point in the history of our country,” he said, according to national broadcaster, SABC on October 22.

“So, we continue to see Russia as a valued ally, as a valued friend who supported us right from the beginning. From the days of our struggle with apartheid right through to now. We are going to have important discussions here in Kazan within the BRICS family.”

The remarks angered the DA which said it does not recognise Russia as a valued ally.        

“We cannot and will not agree that South Africa should consider an authoritarian regime, that is currently violating international law by waging an imperialist war of aggression against a sovereign state as an ally,” DA leader John Steenhuisen argued, per The Star two days later.

“At a time when South Africa is experiencing renewed optimism with the first real prospects of economic growth in almost two decades, our government simply cannot afford to make statements that could jeopardise international relations and trade opportunities.”

Although the parties disagree on the country’s foreign policy stance over Russia, a political science professor at the University of South Africa, Dirk Kotzé, told The Citizen on October 24 that that does not jeopardise the unity government.

The ANC-DA sparring over Russia came as the parties were already fighting over a decision by a premier of the country’s key region of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, to exclude DA members from the provincial government. 

DA has protested and called for Lesufis' sacking over the matter and his alleged failure to publish more than 58 forensic investigation reports.