(Washington) US President Joe Biden praised the “essential partnership” between the United States and South Africa on Friday, receiving his counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, and without publicly mentioning their differences on Ukraine.
Posted at 4:16 p.m.
“We really have to make sure that we understand each other fully,” said Joe Biden, seated next to the South African president in the Oval Office, before their meeting began.
“The United States is an important partner for South Africa,” said Cyril Ramaphosa, referring to the hundreds of American companies established in his country.
He said he wanted to “extend” these economic relations, and said his conversation with the American president would also focus on “stability and international security”, referring to the jihadist attacks in Mozambique, a border country.
The head of state, who is going through a politically difficult time at home, was first welcomed by Vice-President Kamala Harris, and engaged with her, in front of the press, in a similar exchange of courtesies.
“The relationship between the United States and South Africa is very important for many reasons,” she said.
Ukraine
“The objective of this visit is to strengthen the relationship” between the two countries, said the South African president to journalists, also expressing his “gratitude” for American assistance in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
No mention, however, in public exchanges of Ukraine, while South Africa has remained neutral since the start of the invasion by Russia, and has repeatedly indicated that it will not submit to any Western pressure to condemn Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Like her, many African countries had decided in early March not to bring their votes to a United Nations resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine.
This growing influence of Russia on the continent, coupled with the close ties between China and several African countries, has prompted the United States to go on the diplomatic offensive in Africa.
Joe Biden, who so far has not visited the continent, is organizing a major summit in Washington in December with African leaders.
South Africa, an economic heavyweight, occupies a prominent place in this charm offensive. But, while well-disposed towards the Democratic president, the country has made it clear that the challenges of the moment cannot erase the solidarities and lessons of the past.
Russia and China
“Today’s outlook has its reasons, and I don’t think anyone should pretend that history didn’t exist,” said South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, guest of the Council. on Foreign Relations in Washington.
“I will not allow myself to be put under pressure,” she warned during Antony Blinken’s visit in August, in response to a question about South Africa’s position vis-à-vis Russia.
Another delicate subject in the background of the meeting: China, with which South Africa has very good relations, but whose influence Washington wants to counter.
The discussion should be more consensual on the subject of the climate.
The White House has indicated that the two presidents will discuss in detail the aid promised by the West for the energy transition in South Africa.
The country, where coal plays a very important role, was offered 8.5 billion dollars by several developed countries to wean itself off. But South Africa fears that this promise of financing, which goes through loans, will increase its debt.
“We have to talk about climate change,” said Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, indicating that in his country “many people were a little afraid” of how the transition to cleaner energy would take place.