Biden calls South Africa a vital voice despite Russia stance
The Associated Press 16:42 JST, September 17, 2022 WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden praised South Africa as a vital voice on the global stage as he hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday at the White House for talks that touched on the two nations differences on Russias war in Ukraine and more. In a brief appearance before the media at the start of their meeting, Biden made no direct mention that Ramaphosa is among African leaders who have maintained a neutral stance in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine. South Africa abstained from a United Nations vote condemning Russias actions and calling for a mediated settlement. But the president seemed to offer a subtle recognition that the two countries have their differences. We really need to make sure we fully understand one another, said Biden, who heaped praise on Ramaphosa for his countrys leadership on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of climate change and other issues. Following the meeting, Ramaphosa told reporters that South Africas position on the conflict is respected and that both he and Biden agreed they would like this conflict to come to an end as soon as possible. Ahead of the meeting, South Africas international relations minister, Naledi Pandor, said finding an endgame to the Ukraine war will be South Africas focus when it participates in the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly next week. We would want a process of diplomacy to be initiated between the two parties and we believe the U.N. must lead, the U.N secretary-general in particular, Pandor said. The White House meeting came on the heels of Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to South Africa last month, in which he said the Biden administration sees Africas 54 nations as equal partners in tackling global problems. But the administration has been disappointed that South Africa and much of the continent have declined to follow the U.S. in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. During the Blinken visit, Pandor accused the U.S. and other Western powers of focusing on the Ukraine conflict to the detriment of crises around the globe. We should be equally concerned at what is happening to the people of Palestine, as we are with what is happening to the people of Ukraine, she said. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has sought to underscore that Russias blockade of Ukraines Black Sea ports has led to scarcities in grain, cooking oil and fertilizer resulting in disproportionate impact on Africans. The White House said in a statement following the meeting that the leaders discussed the negative consequences the war has had on food security in Africa. South Africas neutral position is largely because of the support the Soviet Union gave during the Cold War era to Ramaphosas African National Congress in its fight to end apartheid, South Africas regime of repression against the Black majority that ended in 1994. South Africa is seen as a leader of the several African countries that will not side against Russia. Despite the differences on the war in Ukraine, the Biden administration recognizes the importance of strengthening relations in Africa as China has spent decades entrenching itself in the continents natural resources markets. Improving relations with South Africa one of the continents biggest economies is central to the U.S. effort. John Stremlau, an international relations expert at the University of the Witwatersrand, said the talks underscore that the U.S. sees South Africa as having the potential to lead Africa in a constructive way on trade and other issues. Earlier on Friday, Ramaphosa met with Vice President Kamala Harris for wide-ranging talks. The vice presidents office said in a statement that Harris and Ramaphosa discussed global health security, space cooperation, climate change, womens empowerment and other matters, as they met over breakfast at the vice presidents residence. In a brief exchange with reporters before his meeting with Harris, Ramaphosa said he would like to see the relationship between the two countries strengthened. South Africas ambitious efforts to transition from coal to cleaner energy were also discussed during the leaders talks. The U.S., Britain, France and Germany announced a plan last year to provid e $8.5 billion in loans and grants over five years to help South Africa phase out coal. JN ACCESS RANKING The Japan News / Weekly Edition Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. Read more 2023 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun