International relations expert Dr. Kingsley Makhubela has warned that the United States could extend sanctions to President Cyril Ramaphosa and other senior African National Congress (ANC) leaders if a proposed bill targeting South African officials passes in Congress.
The bill, which has gained traction among US lawmakers, could see ANC leaders barred from entering the US and face asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Act. Makhubela, a seasoned diplomat and former ambassador, cautioned that the US might also penalize countries that host sanctioned ANC figures.
Growing Tensions Between SA and US
During a recent interview, Makhubela highlighted that the bill is framed as a national security concern, increasing its likelihood of bipartisan support. He pointed to shifting political dynamics in the US, where Democrats have moved toward the center-right, reducing South Africa’s traditional diplomatic leverage.
“The left has left us,” Makhubela said, emphasizing that South Africa’s appeals to US Democrats may no longer be effective. He noted that past high-level engagements, including Ramaphosa’s Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, failed to yield meaningful diplomatic progress.
Potential Ramifications
If enacted, the sanctions could severely restrict ANC leaders’ international travel—except for UN-related visits to New York—and freeze their US-based assets. Makhubela suggested that corruption allegations within South Africa’s domestic politics could be used to justify targeting specific officials.
“The president could be prevented from visiting the US,” he said, adding that the ANC’s top leadership, including its National Executive Committee members, may also be at risk.
Diplomatic Race Against Time
Makhubela urged the South African government to intensify lobbying efforts in Washington, though he expressed doubts about the country’s current diplomatic capacity to sway US lawmakers.
“Once this becomes law, removing South Africa from these sanctions will be a monumental task,” he warned, drawing parallels to the lengthy struggle to overturn apartheid-era US restrictions.
What’s Next?
With midterm elections approaching, US Republicans are pushing for the bill’s swift passage. Analysts suggest that Pretoria has limited time to mount a counteroffensive, raising concerns over deteriorating US-South Africa relations.
As tensions escalate, the ANC faces a critical test in navigating one of its most significant diplomatic challenges in decades.