US tables bill to review ties with South Africa

A bill has been tabled in the US Congress seeking the reevaluation of the country’s ties with South Africa. The US, which considers South Africa its “solid” and “strategic” partner, will likely review its relationship with the country after Congressmen John James and Jared Moskowitz accused Pretoria of “building ties to countries and actors that undermine the national security and threaten the US way of life.” The lawmakers also condemned the African nation for urging the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to consider Israel’s plan to annex Rafah. What did S Africa say to ICJ? Earlier this week, South Africa requested the ICJ to look into Israel’s plan to extend its counter-offensive into Rafah. In a statement, it said, “The South African Government has made an urgent request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to consider whether the decision announced by Israel to extend its military operations in Rafah, which is the last refuge for surviving people in Gaza, requires that the court uses its power to prevent further imminent breach of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.” The statement added that South Africa is concerned that the unprecedented military offensive against Rafah will result in further large-scale killing, harm and destruction. “This would be in serious and irreparable breach both of the Genocide Convention and of the Court’s Order of 26 January 2024,” it said.

The South African Government has made an urgent request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to consider whether the decision announced by Israel to extend its military operations in Rafah, which is the last refuge for surviving people in Gaza, requires that the court uses…

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‘Have different views on foreign policy’ South Africa’s foreign policy has hit a nerve with US officials. Nevertheless, the country looks forward to maintaining a friendly relationship with America. Naledi Pandor, International relations and cooperation minister of South Africa, said, “I believe South Africa offers quality products to the US market and I wish that relationship to grow.” She added, “We have different views on many foreign policy matters but as a democracy, we affirm the sovereign right of states to frame their foreign policy. I am concerned at the bill drafters attempt to associate our country with terrorism and the atrocious attack against civilians in Israel.”