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Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
With Mcebisi Jonas in limbo, SA is dangerously exposed to false US narratives
New challenges have emerged for South Africa's bilateral relations with the US after the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution calling for a full review of the relationship, which must now pass the House itself. In this context, and amid the little visible progress made by South Africa's special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, it is particularly concerning that Pretoria still finds itself without a fully accredited ambassador in Washington. Jonas' appointment was intended to stabilise relations after the dramatic expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool before the appointment of a new ambassador. However, while Jonas is an experienced and credible figure, well versed in statecraft and economic diplomacy, even the most qualified envoy cannot act if they are not granted access — and by most accounts, Jonas has been unable to even enter the US. Multiple sources have reported that Jonas was denied a diplomatic visa by Washington, effectively grounding the very individual meant to serve as Pretoria's bridge-builder. US officials have been silent on the matter, while South Africa's Presidency has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but has insisted Jonas is working 'behind the scenes'. This is useful, but diplomacy does not occur behind closed doors alone; it requires presence, visibility, and access. This is especially true in a place like Washington, where decisions are often influenced through informal networking as much as they are through formal negotiation. At the same time the US-South Africa trade relationship and notably our membership of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, Agoa, which enables exporters preferential access to the US market, is also under threat. The Trump administration has been clear about its intention to impose sweeping tariffs on countries across the board, and signalled that Agoa renewal is by no means guaranteed. Key sectors face potentially devastating consequences. Averting further escalation South Africa has proposed a framework agreement to avert further escalation, but implementation requires intensive, high-level engagement in Washington. The issue is not that Jonas lacks competence, but rather that the current arrangement is structurally flawed. A special envoy denied entry to the country he is meant to engage cannot serve as the country's effective diplomatic point person. This is not a reflection on Jonas, but on the untenability of his position. Pretoria must thus urgently consider appointing a new, formally accredited ambassador to the United States — someone acceptable to Washington, with the diplomatic standing to be received at the appropriate levels, and with the political dexterity to navigate what has become an unusually hostile climate. There is precedent for special envoys playing useful behind-the-scenes roles, but these are typically complementary to, not substitutes for, formal diplomatic channels. South Africa's decision not to rush a new appointment may have been calculated. Given the acrimony surrounding Rasool's expulsion, Pretoria has probably sought to avoid appearing to capitulate or endorse the basis for his removal. But that moment has passed. The longer the post remains vacant, the more likely South Africa's absence is interpreted not as defiance, but as disengagement. Ultimately, it sends the wrong signal to its allies, adversaries, and the South African public. It also leaves South Africa dangerously exposed to narratives it cannot contest in real time. US right-wing media and several lawmakers have infamously amplified unfounded claims of a 'white genocide' in South Africa, which then not only entered mainstream discourse but also shaped US policy, culminating in the recent arrival of Afrikaner 'refugees' in the US. Without a strong and present ambassador to push back forcefully, this kind of distortion risks calcifying into accepted wisdom among Washington decision-makers, with South Africa becoming an ideological talking point in a wider culture war it never intended to join. Beyond managing crises, a new ambassador would also be important in shaping what remains salvageable in the bilateral relationship. The US remains a vital trade and investment partner. And Washington, despite its flaws, is still a power that can make, or break, international norms (at least for now). Pretoria has made clear that it will not be bullied into submission, which is both consistent with the ANC's post-liberation foreign policy and broadly defensible in a world where smaller states must assert their sovereignty. But resistance should not and does not mean retreat — strategic diplomacy requires being both principled and present. Re-engagement with Washington should not have to translate into abandoning South Africa's position on multipolarity or Palestine or its relationship with BRICS+, but does mean ensuring these positions are articulated clearly and defended robustly in the arenas that matter. Right now, that defence is not happening. It cannot happen without someone physically in the room. Good faith If the US administration had no ambassador in Pretoria for six months while threatening trade sanctions, few would interpret it as a gesture of good faith. The same logic applies in reverse. The appointment of a new ambassador won't resolve all points of tension. But it will signal seriousness, restore basic diplomatic protocol, and could help in reclaiming some narrative agency. It would also give South Africa the ability to engage Congress, the State Department, and US civil society on its own terms, rather than as a passive subject of increasingly hostile debate. This is not about capitulation. It is about capacity. Pretoria cannot afford to appear adrift. Now is the time to fill that post in Washington to counter those speaking in our place. DM
Libya Observer
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
HoR joins pan-African legal training talks
The Head of Case and Litigation Follow-up at the House of Representatives' Legal Affairs Directorate, Faris, Rizq has represented North Africa at the second meeting of the Training Committee under the Council of Legal Advisers to African Parliaments. The virtual meeting focused on adopting a unified training policy, proposing virtual training initiatives, and approving a partnership with Kenya's Parliamentary Studies and Training Centre to provide quarterly programmes. Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Abdullah Bliheg, said the talks also explored regional training needs, capacity-building strategies, and obstacles facing legal advisers in different African regions. Participants unanimously approved the council's new training policy and set 24 July as the date for the next full council meeting. Tags: HoR
Economist
17-07-2025
- Health
- Economist
Quantifying Trumpcare
JUST READING the Big Beautiful Bill, with its 330 pages of provisions, is an intimidating undertaking. Working out its consequences is yet more challenging. Nevertheless, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the Yale School of Public Health tried to calculate how many more people would die as a result of the law. Analysing the House of Representatives' version of the bill, they came to 42,500 annually by 2034. That is more people than currently die of breast cancer. Adding in the impact of the end of the enhanced subsidies for people buying their own insurance, they reckoned there would be over 51,000 extra deaths a year. The White House has pushed back on the claims of deaths, calling them 'egregious' and 'deranged'.
Chicago Tribune
11-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
State Rep. Dan Ugaste of 65th District announces run for re-election
State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, announced Wednesday that he will seek re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives in the 65th District in 2026. The state House of Representatives' 65th District covers parts of Kane and DuPage counties, particularly around Geneva, St. Charles, South Elgin and Campton Hills. If re-elected to represent the district, Ugaste said he would continue advocating for property tax relief, fairer economic policies and responsible state government budgeting, among other things, according to a news release. 'I've spent my time in office fighting to lower taxes, grow jobs and bring transparency to state government,' Ugaste said in the news release. 'At this juncture, I will continue this fight from the Illinois State House.' In the news release, Ugaste argues that change is needed in part because of the state's high property taxes and lack of economic racial equity. As a Republican, he criticizes what he says is the Democratic majority's failure to deliver real results for minority communities in Illinois. 'We're being told by this administration that everything is working, but the numbers don't lie,' Ugaste said in the release. 'People are struggling, businesses are leaving, and opportunity is shrinking — especially for the communities most in need. I'm running for re-election because I'm not ready to give up on Illinois.' Ugaste is currently the state House's Assistant Minority Leader. He has lived in the Fox Valley for over 30 years. He and his wife have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Egypt Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt's government proposes 3 housing options for old rent law tenants
Egypt's government has put forward three alternative housing options for tenants under the old rent law whose contracts will expire after the stipulated seven-year period. Minister of Housing Sherif al-Sherbiny, presented these choices during the House of Representatives' general session on Wednesday. According to the minister, the proposed alternative housing options include: Subsidized rent based on household income. Rent-to-own schemes over a period of 20 to 30 years. Apartments available through real estate financing. Al-Sherbiny added that the ministry will provide units under the subsidized rent system, for low-income individuals, and even luxurious finished units. These provisions will be tailored to each request and social status, ensuring the seven-year transition period is sufficient for the completion and delivery of these units. A long running issue The Egyptian Parliament back in May 2024 had worked to legislate a new law on old rent contracts in an effort to resolve the old rent crisis. Legislators have placed great importance to resolving the crisis and finding better ways to coordinate the relationship between the property owner and the tenant – done by taking into account the commitment to the rights of all without putting pressure on one party at the expense of the other. The first steps of the House of Representatives were to conduct a census of the apartments in Egypt that fall under the umbrella of old rent apartments. In April 2025, the government submitted a bill to amend a law concerning old rents to the House of Representatives, aiming to address the long-running crisis impacting the lives of millions, both tenants and landlords. This came after an official announcement by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a press conference held after the weekly cabinet meeting, stressing that the new amendments will take into account all social dimensions and achieve fair balance between the two parties in the rental relationship. Among the most prominent features of the new draft law is the setting of a new rental value for housing subject to the old rent law, whether in cities or villages, with a transitional period of no less than five years. During this period, rental values will gradually increase, taking into account the social and economic dimensions of the population. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
