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African leader tells US not to ‘punish’ continent — Analysis

South Africa’s president insists it’s not up to Washington to determine his country’s diplomatic ties

Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has called on the United States to stop granting asylum to him. “punish”African leaders were pressured to break ties with Moscow by pointing out legislation that was passed through Congress, which allows for further US intervention in the region.

Ramaphosa met with Joe Biden, US President, on Friday to discuss the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act. He stated that the measure was a good idea. “will harm Africa and marginalize the continent.”

“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. 

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. 


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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 added, “It could have,” “the unintended consequence of punishing the continent for efforts to advance development and growth.”

Pretoria regards both Washington, and Moscow as hers. “strategic partners,”The president urged American legislators not to continue, “punish those who hold independent views,”It is especially important to do this at a time of high demand. “President Biden has sought to engage African countries on the basis of respect for their independence and sovereignty.”

But, US policymakers insist that the bill doesn’t propose punishments to African states who choose to keep ties and relations with Russia. John Kirby, a spokesperson for National Security Council, stated: “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 said to reporters that he added the following information on Friday. “We respect sovereignty.”

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