Lamola Heads to US as South Africa Balances Diplomatic Tensions and AGOA Trade Ties

South Africa is seeking to manage rising diplomatic tensions with Washington while maintaining crucial trade ties under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola is in the United States for bilateral meetings ahead of the high-level United Nations General Assembly debate, which runs from September 22 to 28.

The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) said Lamola’s engagements would cover economic diplomacy, South Africa’s relationship with the US and other international relations matters.

His visit comes days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced targeted visa restrictions against foreign nationals whom Washington says are responsible for, or complicit in, policies involving uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or the incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa.