[Text/Observer Network Qi Qian] Visiting Africa for the purpose of countering the influence of China and Russia, but saying that "African countries are not required to choose sides and take sides.", US Secretary of State Blinken's gesture made South African Foreign Minister Pandor unable to look at it anymore and began to sneer in person.
At a joint news conference on Aug. 8, Blinken first reiterated that the United States does not want Africa caught in the middle of superpower competition. Subsequently, Pandor referred to the "superiority and bullying" of some countries in their interactions with African countries, while stressing, "I don't remember the United States doing this, but Talking about Europe"; She said South Africa does not like to be forced to "do this or that".
But Pandor told Blinken on the spot that the U.S. House of Representatives' previously passed Bill to Combat Russia's Non-Malicious Activities was "the most unfortunate," "disappointing," and "offensive." South Africa is a sovereign country and does not allow other countries to point out the so-called "side picking". "If an official had spoken to me like that, I would never have been bullied like that." Bipandor clarified to Blinken, "I didn't say you, I said someone else."
It is worth mentioning that the above bill requires Blinken to target African governments that violate U.S. sanctions against Russia at the U.S. Department of State and report to Congress.
Blinken held a joint press conference with Pandor, reuters video screenshot
According to a press release issued by the US State Department and Reuters, on August 8, local time, US Secretary of State Blinken and South African Foreign Minister Pandor, who were visiting South Africa, held a joint press conference to answer reporters' questions on bilateral cooperation, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the situation in the Taiwan Strait and other issues.
At the outset, Blinken repeated his cliché, emphasizing the common interests of the United States and South Africa, first criticizing Russia's "invasion" of Ukraine, and then claiming that China's response to Pelosi's channeling was "too much and useless." He also punched a rake, saying that China's suspension of Sino-US climate change talks was "punishing the world, especially African countries."
"First of all, on the Russian-Ukrainian issue, no one in South Africa supports the war," Pandor said, but still did not follow Europe and the United States to condemn Russia.
She went on to say that South Africa's position is to want multilateral institutions such as the United Nations to play a role in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, while noting: "Just as Ukrainians deserve territory and freedom, Palestinians deserve their territory and freedom." We should be just as concerned about what happens to the Palestinians, just as we are about what happens to the Ukrainians. ”
Referring to Pelosi's passage to power, Pandor said she understood that under the separation of powers structure, the U.S. government could not influence the decision of the speaker of the House of Representatives. But she stressed that administrative officials should also "repair the rifts in the relationship they may have caused" while accepting the decisions of lawmakers.
Blinken met with the President and Foreign Minister of South Africa
On 7 August, Blinken embarked on a trip to Africa, visiting South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. In his first stop in South Africa, Blinken claimed in a speech that the Biden administration emphasized the right of African governments to geopolitical self-determination and that "the United States will not influence Africa's choices."
At the joint press conference, a reporter mentioned Blinken's statement. But Pandor's response was meaningful.
"I'm glad blinken has confirmed that the U.S. doesn't ask us to make a choice," Pandor added, "I don't remember the U.S. trying to do that, but in our interactions with some of our partners in Europe and elsewhere, there's a sense of bullying."
Subsequently, Pandor referred to a bill previously passed by the US House of Representatives called the Act on Combating Russia's Non-Malicious Activities. According to reports, the bill requires Blinken and the State Department to assess Russia's activities in non-influence and undermine the United States' non-goals and interests, and formulate countermeasures, while targeting African governments that violate U.S. sanctions against Russia and report to Congress.
Pandor described it as one of the "most unfortunate" bills. She protested to Blinken in person: "As I said, this [interacting with any country] is the freedom of every nation. When we believe in freedom, there can be no such thing as 'be punished by the United States because Africa does this.'" So this is a disappointing bill, and we hope that the U.S. Senate will not pass such an offensive bill. ”
"After all, we are considered equal sovereign states under the Charter of the United Nations," Pandor reiterated, adding that countries around the world may have differences in economic strength and capability, but that mutual respect must still be respected for the world to function.
"It's very, very important. One of the things I definitely don't like is being asked to take sides. If an official talked to me like that, I would never be bullied like that, and other African countries wouldn't agree to be treated that way," Pandor added. ”
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Act on Combating Russia's Non-Malicious Activities in April
Regarding Blinken's trip to Africa, Western analysts said the move was aimed at "countering The influence of China and Russia in the region."
The US media "Wall Street Journal" pointed out on the 8th that the United States has become more and more worried about Russia's influence in Africa, and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov just visited Africa not long ago. Moreover, most African countries, including South Africa, have avoided publicly condemning "Russia's invasion of Ukraine" and have not joined Western sanctions against Russia.
On the other hand, what is mentioned in the new version of the Africa Strategy released by the White House also means that the Biden administration acknowledges the failure of the US Africa strategy over the past 30 years. "U.S. efforts to promote democracy and its contribution to peace and security have hardly shown the desired effect," the document reads. ”
However, the Wall Street Journal analyzed that there is still a lack of specific details on how the Biden administration's new strategy will put the United States on a different path.
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer Network and may not be reproduced without authorization.