South Africa has rejected a proposal by US lawmakers to pass legislation calling for a review of bilateral relations between the two countries.
On February 6, two MPs introduced a bipartisan bill in the House of Commons criticizing a series of South African foreign policy positions, including a lawsuit at the United Nations' International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide. The bill reinforces criticism from US lawmakers last year of South Africa's refusal to support Western positions on Russia's war against Ukraine and its deepening ties with the BRICS economies. There is.
“If this bill ever sees the light of day, it will be most disappointing for South Africa-US relations,” President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman Vincent Mugwenya said by phone on Monday. “Many of the issues raised by members of Congress are either handled through our own judicial processes or are issues that have been brought to light in public.”
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The ICJ sided with South Africa last month, ruling that Israel must act to prevent deaths or injuries to Palestinians.
“Following the ICJ's ruling on our application, the claim that our case was unlawful or politically motivated is no longer tenable,” Mugwenya said.
South Africa's government may take opposing positions on geopolitical issues, but insists the ties between the two countries remain strong. The United States is South Africa's second largest trading partner after China.
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