A group of U.S. lawmakers is advocating for the relocation of a planned U.S.-Africa trade summit, scheduled for later this year, away from South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s “deepening military relationship” with Russia. In a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials, they also suggested that South Africa’s participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) – the flagship U.S. trade program – may be jeopardized.
The AGOA Forum, a gathering of African leaders and U.S. officials to discuss the future of the program, is set to take place in Johannesburg, hosted by South Africa. The country has been a significant beneficiary of AGOA, with its exports to the U.S. under the program reaching nearly $1 billion in the first quarter of this year, making it the second-largest beneficiary after Nigeria. African nations are seeking an extension of AGOA, which provides preferential access to the U.S. market for qualifying countries.
While South Africa’s government has declared its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict and President Cyril Ramaphosa is actively engaged in mediation efforts alongside other African leaders, the lawmakers expressed frustration over joint naval operations conducted by South Africa with China and Russia in February. They also raised concerns about South Africa’s plans to host a summit of BRICS leaders, which includes Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Putin facing charges of war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
Furthermore, the lawmakers supported a claim made by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that a Russian vessel under sanctions had collected weapons at a South African naval base last year. South African officials have denied knowledge of such an arms transfer and have initiated an independent inquiry into the matter.
