‘We will not bow our heads’: Ramaphosa hits back at US visa restrictions

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will defend its sovereignty while continuing to engage with the United States amid growing tensions over Washington’s new visa restrictions.

Speaking to the SABC, Ramaphosa said Pretoria was prepared to negotiate with Washington but would do so on an equal footing.

“As the South African government, we continue to safeguard our sovereignty as a nation. But at the same time, we are quite willing and prepared to continue engaging with the US as we engage with all the other countries in the world.

“…We will engage with those countries without bowing our heads,” he said, adding that South Africa would treat other nations respectfully while expecting the same in return.

The comments follow new US visa restrictions announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio targeting foreign nationals accused of being involved in policies Washington says enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa.

The South African government has rejected the allegations, saying its policies are designed to address the legacy of apartheid and centuries of racial inequality.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola described the US move as a mischaracterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies.

Ramaphosa acknowledged the importance of the US relationship, saying: “The US is an important market for us.” He said Pretoria remained willing to negotiate to resolve the challenges affecting bilateral relations.

US Ambassador to South Africa L. Brent Bozell III, meanwhile, has warned that the visa restrictions are the first in a series of measures, saying Washington has limited patience.

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