JOHANNESBURG: Senior South African diplomats have met their US counterparts in Washington to clarify “misconceptions” that have soured relations since President Donald Trump took office, South Africa’s government said on Tuesday.
The meetings were intended to explain South African policies so the Trump administration “positions itself as a strategic partner,” the foreign ministry said.
The new US government has torn into various South African policies, culminating in the expulsion of Pretoria’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool last month.
Trump has also cut financial aid over what he alleged was an anti-white land policy and offered refugee settlement to the white Afrikaner minority that he has claimed is being persecuted.
“The delegation clarified key issues and misconceptions,” the ministry said in a statement.
“We believe that these dialogues will assist to refine the current administration’s understanding of South Africa’s position on critical matters, fostering a more nuanced perspective.”
The aim was for the Trump administration to position “itself as a strategic partner in a manner that avoids conflagration of our national interests against those of our strategic partners across the world.”
The South African officials addressed “misconceptions on what has been presented by some as race laws designed to undermine minority rights,” the statement said.
This included explaining a new Expropriation Act to show that it was not designed to facilitate unlawful land seizures, as alleged.
Trump’s right-hand man is South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has in the past echoed far-right conspiracy theories about a “white genocide” in the country.
The South African delegation also briefed the UN General Assembly on the country’s ambitions for its presidency this year of the G20 group of leading economies which carries the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the statement said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to attend the first G20 foreign ministers meeting in February, saying it had an “anti-American” agenda.
The General Assembly “overwhelmingly endorsed the priorities and theme of the South African G20 Presidency,” the statement added.
The United States is South Africa’s second-biggest trading partner and Pretoria is anxious to preserve this exchange.
Other disagreements between the two are over some of South Africa’s foreign policies, including its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over the war in Gaza.
South African diplomats meet US counterparts over ‘misconceptions’
https://arab.news/jh43a
South African diplomats meet US counterparts over ‘misconceptions’
- Trump has also cut financial aid over what he alleged was an anti-white land policy and offered refugee settlement to the white Afrikaner minority
- Trump’s right-hand man is South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has in the past echoed far-right conspiracy theories about a ‘white genocide’
UK Police arrest 86 people at prison protest for Palestine Action hunger striker
- Demonstration outside Wormwood Scrubs held in support of Umer Khalid
- Khalid 1 of 5 people charged in connection with break-in at RAF base last year
LONDON: A protest outside a prison in the UK in support of a man detained for supporting the banned group Palestine Action has led to the arrest of 86 people.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a group of demonstrators breached the grounds of Wormwood Scrubs prison in the capital, refused to leave when ordered to do so, and threatened officers. They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
The group, several of whom attempted to gain access to the prison itself, were protesting in support of Umer Khalid, who is currently on hunger strike at the facility.
Khalid is one of five people charged in relation to a break-in by Palestine Action members at an RAF base at Brize Norton last year, in which two military aircraft were damaged.
Khalid, who denies the charges, is one of several people who are on or who have taken part in hunger strikes in recent months, all of whom have been held on similar charges for over a year without their cases being brought to trial.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Ministry of Justice said: “The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable. While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.
“At no point was prison security compromised. However, where individuals’ actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.
“Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy. This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.”
