South Africa risks U.S. sanctions for its ties with terrorist actors & U.S. enemies

U.S. Congress will review American relationship with South Africa for its support of U.S.-designated terrorist organizations such as Hamas and engagement in activities that undermine Washington’s national security and foreign policy interests.

U.S. lawmakers will discuss in the few coming weeks a bipartisan bill introduced by Republican congressman John James and Democratic congressman Jared Moskowitz.

Under the “U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act”, Pretoria risks economic sanctions for siding with U.S. adversaries. In 2022, trade exchanges between the two countries reached $25.5 billion, making Washington Pretoria’s second-largest trading partner after Beijing.

Rep. James said: “I am proud to lead the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act in the House with my Democrat colleague Jared Moskowitz.”

“South Africa has been building ties to countries and actors that undermine America’s national security and threaten our way of life through its military and political cooperation with China and Russia and its support of U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hamas,” he underlined.

The legislation, introduced to the House of Representatives, comes few days after Pretoria’s meddling in the Sahara issue and attempts to derail the UN-led political process besides its backing of Polisario armed militia threatening regional peace and stability.