Latest news with #HouseForeignAffairsCommittee
The South African
41 minutes ago
- Politics
- The South African
'There's no white genocide': US lawmaker pleads SA's case amid sanctions bill
US Representative Jonathan L. Jackson, during an address to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has opposed H.R. 2633, the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 that aims to sanction South Africa and some ANC officials. On Wednesday, he said the bill 'does absolutely nothing to advance our bilateral relations with South Africa and in fact threatens to undermine it'. Jackson described the bill as 'not diplomacy' but 'coercion', based on a 'deeply fogged premise' that ignores the complexities and significant progress made together. Jackson stated that there was 'no credibility, no truth to saying white South Africans have experienced genocide'. 'Those were manufactured pictures,' he added, and emphasised the absence of a white genocide in South Africa. Jackson noted South Africa is the largest US trading partner in Africa, with over $20.5 billion (R359 billion) in two-way trade. He described South Africa as a strategic partner and a strong democracy committed to human rights. The two countries cooperate on global issues like health, climate, trade and education, Jackson added, stressing the importance of 'mutual respect' and 'respectful dialogues' to build on progress and yield benefits for both nations. Jackson warned that the proposed bill would increase tensions and undermine the progress South Africa and the US had already made. He urged Congress to allow diplomacy to 'play a central role in resolving political differences' based on international law and respect for sovereignty. He reminded the committee that the US had had relations with South Africa for less than 30 years since apartheid ended, and said South Africa had the right to an independent point of view. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
South Africa faces potential sanctions as U.S. lawmakers back critical bill
South Africa faces mounting diplomatic pressure from the United States after a key congressional committee advanced a bill aimed at reassessing bilateral relations and potentially imposing sanctions. The "U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act" was approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in a 34-16 vote, sending it to the full House of Representatives for consideration. The legislation reflects growing frustration among U.S. lawmakers over South Africa's foreign policy stance, particularly its perceived alignment with countries like Russia and Iran, and its criticism of Western positions on global conflicts. If passed, the bill would require the U.S. State Department to conduct a thorough review of Washington's relations with Pretoria, including trade, military cooperation, and diplomatic engagement. It could also open the door to sanctions against certain South African officials. U.S. flags BRICS, Gaza stance as South Africa's sins The bill, sighted by Reuters, proposes ' a full review of the bilateral relationship ' between the United States and South Africa and calls for the identification of South African government officials and ANC leaders ' eligible for the imposition of sanctions.' This legislative move comes as tensions between Washington and Pretoria deepen over a range of foreign policy disagreements. South Africa is currently battling to avoid a 30% tariff on its exports to the U.S., while also navigating fallout from claims of ' white genocide ', an accusation that has fueled diplomatic friction between President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa. South Africa's strong affiliation with BRICS and its vocal support for the Palestinian cause, particularly in the ongoing Gaza conflict, have further widened the rift. Pretoria's decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice over alleged genocide has been especially contentious in Washington. When introducing the bill in April, Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson of Texas wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ' South Africa made its choice when they abandoned America and our allies and sided with communists and terrorists. ' The bill also accuses South Africa of undermining U.S. interests by maintaining close ties with Russia and China, its fellow BRICS members, and of supporting Hamas, a designation South Africa strongly rejects. Critics of the bill argue that it threatens long-standing ties between the two countries and could undermine cooperation on security, health, and economic development. However, its supporters maintain that the U.S. must hold its partners accountable when their policies are at odds with American interests and democratic values.
eNCA
6 hours ago
- Business
- eNCA
Freezing of assets on the line as US moves to sanction ANC officals
JOHANNESBURG - A US bill targeting South Africa has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The US South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 calls for a full review of ties and possible sanctions against some ANC officials. International Relations expert Dr. Kingsley Makhubela says the sanctions could have dire consequences for those officials, including the freezing of assets held abroad and a ban on travel to the US. He says the bill would also require the US administration to re-evaluate its overall foreign policy stance toward South Africa. A key concern is the potential threat to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a cornerstone of US-Africa trade that allows select African countries, including South Africa, preferential access to US markets with few or no tariffs to export there. AGOA is seen as crucial to driving investment. The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved the bill on Tuesday, with a majority of lawmakers on the committee objecting to South Africa's close ties with Russia and China. The committee chairman, Brian Mast, added that the ANC's direct engagement with Hamas leaders and the country's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice are further proof of worsening relations between South Africa and the US. Makhubela says it's urgent that South Africa adopts a foreign policy strategy to navigate its relationship with the US. However, internal divisions within the Government of National Unity (GNU) are making this difficult.
eNCA
6 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
'It is a mockery' - ANC slams US move to sanction its officials
JOHANNESBURG - The ANC has slammed the US' moves to sanction some of its leaders. ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says the idea of targeted sanctions against a party that led 'the freedom struggle,' is a 'mockery' and is 'embarrassing' to anyone who entertains such thoughts. The US South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act cleared its first legislative hurdle when it was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. The bill demands a full review of ties and possible sanctions against some ANC officials. Bhengu-Motsiri claims these sanctions are a product of 'nefarious' propaganda led by right-wing extremist organisations both at home and in the US. She adds they will carefully assess the situation. "We will have to calmly sit down and reflect on the situation and the implications of this proposed bill that is still going for debate in one of the houses of the US Congress," "We are also in contact with our historical allies who were active in the fight against Apartheid and are residents in the US," she said. The Committee Chairman, Brian Mast, says the ANC's direct engagement with Hamas leaders and the country's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice are further proof of worsening relations between South Africa and the US. Meanwhile, International Relations analysts and experts have previously told eNCA that the time has now arrived for South Africa to address its relations with the US. They've also urged parties to get their ducks in a row inside the GNU, as the cracks are starting to show. Bhengu-Motsiri agrees. "There has to be a discussion here at home among various state and non-state actors about the implications of this bill. The idea that the targeted sanctions are going to be aimed at ANC leaders is just a start..." she said.
Korea Herald
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
House committee passes bill to establish interparliamentary dialogue among S. Korea, US, Japan
A US House committee passed a bill Tuesday to establish an interparliamentary trilateral dialogue among South Korea, the United States and Japan as part of efforts to deepen cooperation in tackling shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The House Foreign Affairs Committee endorsed the US-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act aimed at creating permanent channels of communication and coordination among the three countries' legislative bodies, according to the office of Rep. Ami Bera, ranking member of the subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. "As we face growing threats in the Indo-Pacific, now is the time to invest in our closest alliances rooted in democratic principles," Bera said in a statement. "This bill creates a permanent forum for lawmakers from the United States, Japan, and South Korea to meet regularly, exchange ideas, and coordinate on challenges ranging from maritime security and economic growth to safeguarding democratic institutions," he added. The lawmaker said the legislative effort builds on the momentum from the first standalone trilateral summit that the leaders of the three countries held at Camp David in Maryland in August 2023 to strengthen three-way cooperation. Bera introduced the bill, while Reps. Joe Wilson, Mike Kelly, Joaquin Castro, Adrian Smith and the late Gerry Connolly co-led the legislation.
