US Sanctions Loom Over ANC Leaders: Ramaphosa Could Be Barred From Entry

Sanctions Likely to Pass

The US Congress is poised to pass a bill imposing sanctions on senior ANC leaders, with bipartisan support expected. Dr. Kingsley Makhubela, a seasoned diplomat, highlights the Republicans' majority in both the House and Senate, coupled with Democratic backing, as key factors ensuring the bill’s success. "Once national security concerns are raised, the US closes ranks," he notes. The bill, now expanded to include tensions over Taiwan and diplomatic expulsions, is likely to pass before the 2025 midterm elections.

Ramaphosa Directly at Risk

If enacted, the sanctions could freeze assets and bar ANC leaders—including President Ramaphosa—from entering the US, except for UN-related visits. Makhubela references a Hudson Institute article advocating "selective sanctions" on ANC officials, suggesting the US may even penalize countries hosting them. The move could isolate South Africa diplomatically, mirroring apartheid-era restrictions that took years to overturn.

Diplomatic Failures Exposed

Makhubela dismisses claims that Ramaphosa’s 2024 Oval Office meeting was successful, citing unresolved tensions over land reform and the US’s refusal to engage on key issues. "Success isn’t access to the White House; it’s tangible outcomes," he argues. The ANC’s appeal to US Democrats alone is flawed, he adds, as the party’s shift toward the right demands broader engagement.

Urgent Action Needed

With limited time to lobby Congress, South Africa’s lack of diplomatic infrastructure in the US becomes a critical weakness. Makhubela warns that once the bill becomes law, reversing its effects will be "a monumental task," urging immediate, high-level outreach to both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.