(UN)DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS: ‘Respect our sovereignty’ — SA responds to latest US sanctions
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola rejects US travel bans tied to a Trump-era order, urging diplomacy as South Africa defends expropriation reforms and faces ongoing legal challenges.
South Africa has rejected new United States travel sanctions imposed on individuals responsible for or complicit in racially unjust policies, emphasizing its sovereign right to enact legislation addressing centuries of racial injustice. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola urged the US to respect South Africa's democracy and sovereignty, stating that unilateral actions should not be taken.
The sanctions target politicians and others involved in policies enabling uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and incitement of violence against minority groups. The US Department of State announced the measures following a February 2025 Trump executive order condemning "government-sponsored discrimination" against Afrikaners and other minority populations.
South Africa's stance is in response to ongoing legal challenges regarding expropriation reforms, black economic empowerment, and the controversial "Kill the Boer" chant. The country's government remains committed to constructive engagement with the US through diplomatic channels rather than unilateral actions.
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