US Moves to Sanction ANC Leaders as South Africa-US Relations Hit Breaking Point

US House Committee Advances Bill Targeting ANC Leaders Amid South Africa Tensions

The United States House Foreign Affairs Committee has taken the unprecedented step of advancing legislation that could see ANC leaders sanctioned, signaling a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The bill, introduced by Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson and passing the committee 34-16, seeks to penalize South African officials for what Jackson describes as “abandoning America to side with communists and terrorists.”

This development follows months of strained relations over South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel, its expanding BRICS alliances, and the closure of Taiwan’s Pretoria office.

READ: US House Committee Advances Controversial South Africa Relations Review Bill

Domestic Responses in South Africa

Lobby group AfriForum welcomed the proposed sanctions. CEO Kallie Kriel called it “long overdue accountability for the ANC's anti-Western crusade.”

Government officials, however, strongly condemned the move. International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor accused Washington of “economic blackmail” and vowed that South Africa would not be coerced into altering its foreign policy.

The timing is particularly sensitive, with the AGOA trade agreement set to expire in September, putting R45 billion in exports at risk.

Economic and Diplomatic Implications

Analysts warn the fallout could devastate key sectors, particularly:

• Automotive industry
• Agricultural exports

These sectors employ roughly 82,000 South Africans reliant on US trade.

Diplomatic experts are divided on the crisis:

• David Ansara, Free Market Foundation: South Africa “recklessly poked the bear” through its foreign policy.
• Gustavo de Carvalho, SAIIA: The US may be overplaying its hand, potentially pushing South Africa deeper into BRICS alliances.

READ: US Tariffs Threaten Thousands of SA Jobs, Minister Tau Races to Secure a Deal

Next Steps and International Stakes

As the bill moves to the full House for consideration, South Africa faces urgent decisions:

• Whether to dispatch an emergency delegation to Washington
• How to safeguard AGOA trade benefits without compromising foreign policy

With no ambassador currently stationed in the US, the ANC government confronts its most serious foreign policy challenge since the end of apartheid. The coming weeks will determine whether the two nations can de-escalate tensions, or if this confrontation will permanently reshape one of Africa’s most crucial international relationships.