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Rep. Ronny Jackson Urges Passage of U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act Amid Growing Ties with Adversaries
On May 23, 2025, U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson (R-TX) urged the passage of his proposed U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, citing concerns over South Africa’s deepening relationships with nations like China, Russia, Iran, and Hamas, which he considers adversaries to U.S. interests. In a post on X, Jackson emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of bilateral ties to equip the State Department with tools to shape America’s future strategy toward South Africa.
Speaking at a recent congressional hearing, Jackson addressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting what he perceives as South Africa’s shift away from the U.S. and its allies. He accused South Africa of increasing diplomatic cooperation with China, attacking Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), downgrading Taiwan’s diplomatic presence, and condoning violence and race-based persecution against minorities. Jackson stated, “South Africa has withdrawn from America and our allies in recent years while deepening its relationships with our foreign adversaries.”
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The U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, introduced by Jackson, aims to mandate a full review of the U.S.-South Africa relationship. The legislation would also enable targeted sanctions against African National Congress (ANC) officials deemed corrupt, according to Jackson. He expressed support for President Donald Trump’s executive order to counter what he called South Africa’s “egregious actions.”
During the hearing, Secretary Rubio confirmed observing South Africa’s alignment with nations like China, Iran, and Russia, agreeing that a review of bilateral relations would benefit U.S. strategy. Rubio noted that President Trump was meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the same day, where these issues were likely to be discussed.
Jackson also criticized past U.S. spending in Africa, arguing that funds have been wasted without strategic oversight. He praised the Trump administration’s foreign policy, including efforts to secure hostage releases in Gaza, foster peace between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and counter China’s global influence.
The proposed legislation follows similar concerns raised by other lawmakers. In February 2024, Representatives John James (R-MI) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) introduced a similar bill, H.R. 2633, highlighting South Africa’s ties with Hamas, Russia, and China, including hosting sanctioned Russian arms shipments and collaborating with Chinese political schools.
The U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act has sparked debate, with supporters arguing it addresses South Africa’s problematic foreign policy alignments, while critics may view it as an overreach into a historically cooperative relationship. As the bill progresses, it is likely to draw further attention to U.S.-South Africa relations and the broader geopolitical dynamics in Africa.
For more information on the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, visit congress.gov.
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