South Africa’s 2019-2020 term as an elected non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is a critical opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to international peace and security, the global rules-based order, and its prioritisation of the African continent. This research report aims to assess the country’s first year of its current term and to provide recommendations on how the country could optimally approach the remainder of its term. It provides a chronological overview of key highlights throughout 2019 and discusses the most pronounced political and institutional trends and dynamics that the country will need to grapple with this year.
