South Africa’s recent legal action against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza has the potential to disrupt the country’s trade relations with the United States and further complicate the renewal of the African Growth Opportunity Act (Agoa).
Professor Michael Walsh, a US foreign policy expert, has expressed concerns about the consequences of South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case accuses Israel of contravening the Genocide Convention through its military actions in Gaza.
South Africa’s legal action against the war in Gaza could be interpreted by the US as undermining its national security interests, which is one of the conditions for disqualification from Agoa.
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Agoa, set to expire in September next year, allows over 30 African countries to export a wide range of goods to the US market. In return, Agoa provides the US with access to critical minerals, product value chains, and investment opportunities in Africa.
The US has been considering delaying an early renewal of Agoa for South Africa following disproven allegations that South Africa was selling weapons and ammunition to Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
According to Walsh, the current Agoa renewal process provides an opportunity for members of the US Congress to voice their displeasure with South Africa. He suggests that members of Congress may call for cutting off security assistance or public health assistance to South Africa, using Agoa as a platform to do so.
Walsh anticipates that there may be proposals made to take concrete legislative or policy action against South Africa for undermining US national security and foreign policy interests. However, he acknowledges the delicate nature of the situation, as there are members of Congress who have been critical of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Ebrahim Patel, announced that the US has reached a preliminary agreement with African nations to extend their preferential trade access by another decade, pending approval by Congress.
However, Pennsylvania senator John Fetterman criticized South Africa for bringing a case of genocide against Israel, suggesting that South Africa should focus on humanitarian crises on the African continent instead.
Walsh argues that Fetterman’s remarks demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of South Africa’s history and undermine African perspectives. He believes that Western political leaders should show more respect for African perspectives and issue a sincere apology for such incendiary claims.
Regarding the Biden administration, Walsh suggests that they have been outmaneuvered by the Ramaphosa administration in South Africa. Despite considering the implications, the South African government has continued to make decisions that create tension in the relationship, believing it to be in their national or political interest to do so.
Walsh believes that the Biden administration will have to address the issue of South Africa’s status under Agoa, as the risk to US-South Africa economic relations is at its most serious level.
This article was submitted as an opinion by Thabo Tsotetsi. The idea does not reflect the position of The Times Post.
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