Key facts
- South Africa is open to talks with the US on areas of dispute, including foreign investor rules on Black employment and ownership.
- South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola expressed surprise at recent US visa restrictions.
- Lamola stated that South Africa does not want a "tit-for-tat war" with Washington over the visa issue.
- Lamola described the current US administration as unpredictable.
- The US has also pressed South Africa on land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the ICJ.
- The US ambassador to South Africa called the visa restrictions "only the first step in a series of escalatory measures."
South Africa remains open to discussions with the United States on contentious issues, including foreign investor rules concerning Black employment and ownership, according to South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. Lamola, speaking on Friday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, expressed surprise at the US's recent imposition of visa restrictions on South Africans, which were announced on September 15.
Lamola stated that South Africa views the US as an important strategic partner and does not wish for a "tit-for-tat war" over the visa dispute, emphasizing the significance of the economic relationship. However, he characterized the current US administration as unpredictable, a sentiment he believes is shared by countries worldwide.
The US has also voiced concerns regarding South Africa's land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Lamola defended South Africa's legal case, stating it must be decided by the court based on international law.
Following the announcement of the visa restrictions, the US ambassador to South Africa indicated that these measures were "only the first step in a series of escalatory measures," suggesting that dialogue had reached its limit.