‘They must own it’: COSATU takes aim at AfriForum and Solidarity over AGOA

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has criticized lobby groups AfriForum and Solidarity for their role in straining relations between South Africa and the United States, which contributed to Washington's decision to remove South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This move, announced by US Trade Representative Jamie Greer on Monday, marks a significant setback for Pretoria's efforts to maintain preferential access to the US market.

AGOA has provided eligible African countries, including South Africa, with lower tariffs on exports to the US, a key economy. The programme has also fostered intra-African trade and created an estimated 200,000 direct jobs in the US. COSATU's parliamentary co-ordinator, Matthew Parks, expressed deep concern over the impact South Africa's exit from AGOA would have on thousands of jobs in agriculture and manufacturing.

Parks called on the South African government to use the next 60 days before the proposed termination to negotiate solutions that would protect the country's economy and jobs. He emphasized the importance of recognising South Africa as a constitutional democracy and a sovereign member of the international community. Parks also urged the South African departments of Trade, Industry and Competition; Employment and Labour; National Treasury; and Agriculture to introduce support measures for workers, businesses, industries, and communities at risk.

COSATU further blamed AfriForum and Solidarity for their lobbying efforts, which they argue have contributed to the strained relations between South Africa and the US. Parks stated that AfriForum, Solidarity, and other proponents of "white persecution myths" must "own" the consequences of their actions on the careers of workers and farmers in various industries.