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Proposed bill to review SA, US relations won’t pass: Expert

todayFebruary 13, 2024 77

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Professor of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, John Stremlau, says he doesn’t believe that the proposed bill to review the bilateral relationship between the US and SA will pass.

The remarks come after two US congressmen made the proposal before Senate, following the International Criminal Court’s (ICJ) ruling, which ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The bill proposed bill is, however, yet to be discussed and passed by congress.

It was introduced by US Republican congressman John James and Democratic Party congressman Jared Moskowitz, sparking fears that it could threaten South Africa’s prospects to continue to benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

The proposed regulation accuses the governing ANC of acting inconsistent with its publicly stated policy of non-alignment in international affairs. It also states that Pretoria has a history of siding with malign actors, including Hamas and the Russian Federation.

Despite this, however, Professor Stremlau says he is confident that US President, Joe Biden, won’t sign off on this bill.

He has, nonetheless, pointed out Washington and Pretoria’s double standards displayed in the cases of the Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Department of International Relations also seems unfazed at the proposed legislation, saying South Africa has good relations with the US.

Speaking to YNews, the department’s Clayson Monyela also reject claims contained in the bill that South Africa is providing support to Hamas, which the US labels a terrorist organisation and a recognised Iranian proxy, amongst other issues.

 

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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