Top US lawmaker calls South Africa ‘America’s adversary’

Chairman of the United States (US) Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch, has called South Africa “an adversary of America.”

Responding to the joint military exercise off the South African coast involving Russian, Chinese, and, until recently, Iranian warships, Risch did not mince his words.

“South Africa’s ANC-led government’s foreign policy hides behind a claim of non-alignment, yet its military hosts drills with America’s chief adversaries,” said Risch.

“President Trump is right to treat South Africa’s government for what it is: an adversary of America,” he added.

South Africa’s military described the operation as a practical, capability-building engagement. “Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 brings together navies from BRICS Plus countries for … joint maritime safety operations (and) interoperability drills,” it said in a statement.

Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula, acting spokesperson for joint operations, said all BRICS Plus members had been invited to participate.

China is leading the drills, with participating vessels from:

• China: A destroyer and replenishment ship.
• Russia: A corvette.
• United Arab Emirates: A corvette.
• South Africa: A frigate.

Observers include Brazil, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

Iran had initially sent three warships, including a destroyer and a forward base ship, and was set to participate for the first time since joining BRICS in 2024.

However, on January 12, amid diplomatic pressure, Iran withdrew from active involvement at South Africa’s request, shifting to observer status.

The drills unfold against a backdrop of strained relations between Washington and several BRICS Plus countries.

Regardless, Risch did not view any of this lightly, saying that “any promise or deal this government offers Washington is meaningless when its actions signal open hostility toward the United States.”

“That is why the US should take stronger action against the South African government. The time for envoys, bureaucratic reviews, or business deals bridging the gap has passed,” he added.

US lawmakers have already introduced the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025.

This bicameral legislation mandates a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

It proposes presidential certification on whether South Africa undermines US national security or foreign policy, and directs identification of South African government officials and ANC leaders potentially eligible for targeted sanctions.

It has been referred to the relevant committees, but has not yet advanced to passage or enactment.

South African government response

In response to Risch’s statements, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Chrispin Phiri, told Newsday that “South Africa’s Government of National Unity remains committed to diplomacy through dialogue.”

“Our foreign policy is based on human rights, constitutionalism, the national interest, solidarity, peaceful resolution of conflicts, to achieve the African Agenda 2063, South-South, North-South and African cooperation, multilateralism and a just, peaceful and equitable world,” said Phiri.

“We also remain committed to engaging respectfully on matters of mutual concern and interest,” he added.

New US Ambassador heading to SA

Conservative activist and writer Leo Brent Bozell III has been sworn in as the US ambassador-designate to South Africa.

In a statement on 9 January, the US Embassy said that it “looks forward to working under his leadership to advance American priorities and promote a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America through continued engagement with South Africa.”

Bozell is expected to arrive later this month and formally assume his duties after presenting his credentials to the Government of South Africa.

He was confirmed by the US Senate in December along party lines, with all Democrats voting against confirmation.

During his nomination process, Bozell said that it is “a challenging time in US–South Africa relations.”

“The President has expressed serious concerns about issues in South Africa that have gone unaddressed for too long,” he said.

“When people and businesses in South Africa feel their private property rights are at risk, when many South Africans feel unsafe in their homes, when corruption and unfair business practices hinder the economy.”

And, “when some politicians cultivate ties with actors that threaten global peace and security, finding common ground between our two countries becomes more difficult,” he added.

In March, President Donald Trump’s administration expelled South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, who was described by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a “race-baiting politician” who hates Trump.

Trump has established a refugee program “for people who are of Afrikaner ethnicity or a member of a racial minority in South Africa who are victims of government-sponsored race-based discrimination.”

The South African government have vehemently denied all of these assertions, calling them a “campaign of misinformation and propaganda.”

The US has cut aid, boycotted the South African G20 leaders summit, and refused to allow South Africa to attend the US-hosted G20 summit

South Africa is the US’s largest trading partner on the African continent, with over 500 US businesses employing more than 250,000 South Africans.