South Africa’s president insists it’s not up to Washington to determine his country’s diplomatic ties
17 Sept 22 partly from Western Banned News Agency via thefreeonline
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the US to not “punish” African nations by pressuring them to cut ties with Moscow, pointing to legislation passing through Congress which calls for more US intervention on the continent.
President Joe Biden walks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa outside the West Wing of the White House
After meeting with US President Joe Biden on Friday, Ramaphosa spoke with reporters about the bill, the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act, saying the measure “will harm Africa and marginalize the continent.”
SEE DISCUSSION BELOW
Africa has recently shown resistance to Western oppression including military bases, rejecting forced acceptance of lethal ineffective Covid vaccines and the Great Reset sellout via the WHO.
“We should not be told by anyone who we can associate with,” he added, noting South Africa’s long-held policy of non-alignment among world powers.
Mali has told the European state that it must remove its military forthwith
Though the two leaders exchanged pleasantries during their sit-down and did not mention the Russia legislation – as detailed in the White House readout of the discussion – Ramaphosa separately spoke with the Congressional Black Caucus during his visit and again offered criticism of the bill.
South Africa is “concerned [about] the possible implications for the African Continent if the ‘Countering Malign Russian Activities Bill’ were to become US law,” he said, adding that it could have “the unintended consequence of punishing the continent for efforts to advance development and growth.”
Pretoria considers both Washington and Moscow to be “strategic partners,” the president continued, urging American lawmakers not to “punish those who hold independent views,” especially at a time when “President Biden has sought to engage African countries on the basis of respect for their independence and sovereignty.”
However, US policymakers have insisted the bill does not propose any punishments for African states that opt to continue ties with Russia, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby saying “the United States isn’t making anybody choose between us and somebody else, either when it comes to Ukraine or in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“Broadly speaking, there’s no punishment here intended for anybody,” Kirby told reporters on Friday, adding “We respect sovereignty.”
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Current policies are designed to create a food and debt crisis for poorer nations especially. The US can use this debt crisis to force countries to continue privatising and selling off their public assets in order to service the debts to pay for the higher oil and food imports.
This imperialist strategy comes on the back of ‘COVID relief’ loans which have served a similar purpose.
Oxfam and Development Finance International have also revealed that 43 out of 55 African Union member states face public expenditure cuts totalling $183 billion over the next five years.
In 2021, an Oxfam review of IMF COVID-19 loans showed that 33 African countries were encouraged to pursue austerity policies. The world’s poorest countries are due to pay $43 billion in debt repayments in 2022, which could otherwise cover the costs of their food imports.
The closure of the world economy in March 2020 (‘lockdown’) served to trigger an unprecedented process of global indebtedness. Conditionalities mean national governments will have to capitulate to the demands of Western financial institutions.
These debts are largely dollar-denominated, helping to strengthen the US dollar and US leverage over countries.
The US is creating a new world order and needs to ensure much of the Global South remains in its orbit of influence rather than ending up in the Russian and especially Chinese camp and its belt road initiative for economic prosperity.
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Discuss
African leader tells US not to ‘punish’ continent
Linguist
South Africa knows what side its bread is buttered; if it stays in BRICS it will thrive!
SharpKnife24
But people here are beyond fine with Russia trying to tell Ukraine what to do.
neeckoo
NO, he’s punishing his own American people at home !
Lectrodectus
America Threatens African Countries With Retribution If They Continue Their Relationships With Russia/China Etc… The Real Reasons Behind This The US Empire Are Desperate To Hold Onto Their Source Of Cheap Minerals/ Diamonds/ Gold/ Oil/Gas Etc…..Explain To Me How Washington Has The Legal Right To impose Laws ( They Create) Onto Other Countries To Protect Their Own Economic Interests. I Would Say Any Sanctions /Laws To Be Imposed Onto any Country Should Be Put To The UN To Be Voted On…However The UN (As We All Know) Is Neither Independent Nor Impartial Because US Own/Control It So, Why Does it Exist/ What Is The Point Of It.
Andrew Kelly
Mr Kirby is a brazen liar or a fool. The US respects sovereignty? Just ask Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, etc etc…
Ivopivo
SharpKnife24, And what is that to d with price of tea in China
3 more replies
bibi jhon
This is a contradictory statement from mr kirby. If you truly respect africans countries sovereignty why passing such laws? Bullying, and treats. And the saddest part is the black Caucus supporting the bill . It was even sponsored by a black new york congressman Representative Gregory W. Meeks
Russia Rocks！
Cyril is more concerned with America than his own people！
KetchStrait1
Africa is the key reason the US, west are fighting China and Russia. Times have changed, countries are seeking true partnerships, transparent cooperation and respect.
antiparasites
G7 denies sanctions are causing global food crisis
kick out the zionist and euronazie colonialists that still own land, mines and other basic resources. there will be no justice or peace until they are gone for good.
Higherup
time to say “FKU usa”
undeadblackzero
“South Africa’s president insists it’s not up to Washington to determine his country’s diplomatic ties” Strange is this one of the African Countries where they Sold Slaves to Europeans?
Juan Alfaro
The USA shows its narrative decline, the African countries already suffer from the evil activities of European countries such as France, Germany or Belgium.
USA tires everyone with that retoric
MAKEDONIJA
US respect sovereignty of other states as an elephant respects ants on his way
Knife45
Africa have good resources so west is behind them like for oil in the Middle East.
KetchStrait1
Dictating on African or its countries is a lost cause. The slave trade and colonial times are live in the minds of Africans let alone the discrimination they face outside their continent, and also within the continent in US, UK, EU and Australia funded projects.
Emrisrex
Well done South Africa, resist the foul bullies
Helene Matz
Emrisrex, lets hope they stay strong and remember the aid and support the ussr namely the russian people have given to the south africans during apartheid,this is also the case with cuba
Sir. Joshua Ra’Ne. Doebler
Just because I can walk through a BLM neighborhood unharmed doesn’t mean I’m invited to a BLM parade planning bash!
DrGreenthumb420
I’ve never been to South Africa but I heard they legalized wheat to be grown at home for personal consumption. Bravo for that.
APOPHIS
the chief military racist colonizer ! what was the threat message to the south african leader in the oval office
Kweli Nzito
Africa pleading for neutrality and to be spared punishment by America? They are forgetting so fast about a country whose president called their entire continent a $hithole.
Camisano33
Kweli Nzito, It is a s**t hole.
MAKEDONIJA
All Black ‘leaders starting from Mandela, as the apartheid gov before, are or were bankers puppets.
Meribah Kadesh
Complete hogwash. Slavery and colonialism is still embedded in the brain of white American politicians and business leaders. The African Union should speak with one voice and the congressional black caucus should stand with Africa
Mofasa
They forcefully bully, coercively manipulate and de-sovereign nations using proxy means cunningly
jude
“we respect sovereignty.” yeah right!
Hong
Us slap in the face by AF.
Gkarusa5556
Good for SA. Nobody has the right to tell them who they can associate with. Kirby is an outright lier. The US is trying to make countries choose sides. He states there is no punishment intended? Sure, as long as you do what he says, otherwise sanctions are coming.
Mongo
These lizard freaks are more like compassionless computers that worship evil. You waste you time asking for nice from them
17 hr
TheK100
In other words, the USA wants power and control over Africa… the modern style of slavery…. 20 years ago, the USA went around the world promoting freedom of trade, etc…. nowadays…don’t trade with these countries or we will sanction you
macnamejon123
The African leader should stop allowing White Genocide in Africa and indirect White Genocide by sending scores of Blacks into the West. They belong in Africa. Africa can feed them. The “US” and Europe are no longer sovereign entities. Africa is owned by the same Mafia now and should address appropriate complaints to the Mafiosos soon to rule the entire globe if not curtailed. Bravo to Russia and China for still being relatively independent.
Jas
The US and EU will squeeze and bully ALL countries
Junk Camel
All the US cares about is exploiting Africa for it’s resources. everything else is theatre.
TheK100
Junk Camel, Exactly
3 more replies
Naija68
It is too late for the US to “punish Africa” for her choice of allies (those considered as “enemies” by the US). Leading economic powers in Africa (e.g. Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt) have expanded trade relations with Russia, China, and other Asian countries, and any “punitive” measures by the US against our countries will accelerate them towards American “enemies”. As a continent, with a combined GDP of over 2.4 trillion dollars, a population of over 1.2 billion people, growing homegrown technologies, vast natural resources, and expanded FDI from economic powers such as China and Russia, it is presumptuous of US to think of a “Countering Malign Act in Africa bill” without expecting a blowback that will further isolate the shrinking world power.
Segovia
Naija68, Bless you
I thought Obama was Africa’s Golden Child?? no?? that con lost it’s Luster??−
TheK100
Salvatore Vitale, Most Africans don’t like him… They see his hypocrite face very clearly
unexpected
john kirby is the biggest u.s liar on the planet. nobody believes a word that comes out his mouth. so, u.s interference in virtually every country on the face of the planet is not evidence of maligned
Larry Layton
Only a ten percent vaxx rate , they know better than listening to corrupt western pigs
Zohar
So why this law when they already have sanctions? F…k them!
Tor Gjesdal
JoeChmo
US will end up in Self-Isolation…
JoeChmo
Hold on a sec. I thought US was against having other countries intervention in other countries?! I guess the don’t apply those laws to them selves!!! How typical of US…
Paulo Henrique
The time has come to decide which side we are on. “You cannot serve two masters at the same time…”.
John Galt
America is doubling down on stupidity, alienating sovereign nations with coercion and blackmail. Well, according to Napoleon Bonaparte, one should never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
18 hr……… etcetera!
*these comments are copied.. see original to reply
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