US Representative Jonathan L. Jackson, during an address to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has opposed H.R. 2633, the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 that aims to sanction South Africa and some ANC officials.
On Wednesday, he said the bill “does absolutely nothing to advance our bilateral relations with South Africa and in fact threatens to undermine it”.
Jackson described the bill as “not diplomacy” but “coercion”, based on a “deeply fogged premise” that ignores the complexities and significant progress made together.
Rejecting ‘White Genocide’ Claims
Jackson stated that there was “no credibility, no truth to saying white South Africans have experienced genocide”.
“Those were manufactured pictures,” he added, and emphasised the absence of a white genocide in South Africa.
Highlighting Shared Values and Strategic Ties
Jackson noted South Africa is the largest US trading partner in Africa, with over $20.5 billion (R359 billion) in two-way trade.
He described South Africa as a strategic partner and a strong democracy committed to human rights.
The two countries cooperate on global issues like health, climate, trade and education, Jackson added, stressing the importance of “mutual respect” and “respectful dialogues” to build on progress and yield benefits for both nations.
A Call for Respect and Constructive Engagement
Jackson warned that the proposed bill would increase tensions and undermine the progress South Africa and the US had already made.
He urged Congress to allow diplomacy to “play a central role in resolving political differences” based on international law and respect for sovereignty.
He reminded the committee that the US had had relations with South Africa for less than 30 years since apartheid ended, and said South Africa had the right to an independent point of view.
How can the US strengthen relations with South Africa while respecting its sovereignty and addressing political differences?
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