UK unilateral decision to terminate Official Development Aid to SA

30 April 2013

The South African government has noted with regret the unilateral announcement by the government of the United Kingdom regarding the termination of the Official Development Aid to South Africa as from the year 2015.

This is such a major decision with far reaching implications on the projects that are currently running and it is tantamount to redefining our relationship.

Ordinarily, the UK government should have informed the government of South Africa through official diplomatic channels of their intentions and allowed for proper consultations to take place, and the modalities of the announcement agreed on.

We have a SA/UK Bilateral Forum which is scheduled for some time this year and the review of the SA/UK strategy which includes the ODA, would take place there and decisions about how to move forward were expected to be discussed in that forum.

This unilateral announcement no doubt will affect how our bilateral relations going forward will be conducted.

We are however looking forward to the SA/UK bilateral forum later this year to clear up this matter among others.

Statement issued Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, May 30 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter