Diplomacy depends on restraint. Rituals exist to preserve a minimum level of civility between states even during periods of conflict. Condolence books belong to that tradition. They acknowledge death and recognise the dignity of a grieving nation. Governments that hold serious disagreements still observe this practice because international relations requires discipline.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Africa recently informed foreign missions that a book of condolences had been opened following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian officials during the recent United States and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Ukraine’s ambassador to South Africa, Dr Olexander Scherba, responded publicly with a letter refusing to sign the condolence book. He accused Iran’s leadership of responsibility for Ukrainian civilian deaths because Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones have been used by Russia during the war in Ukraine. He concluded that he would not express condolences for someone whose death he does not mourn.
The refusal alone already represents an unusual diplomatic act. The public tone of the letter transformed the episode into something more serious. The ambassador placed the death of a national leader...
