The bill requires a review of U.S.-South Africa relations, a determination on whether South Africa has undermined U.S. interests, and a report identifying South African officials and ANC leaders potentially subject to sanctions for corruption or human rights abuses.
Ronny Jackson
Representative
TX-13
The U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 mandates a review of the relationship between the United States and South Africa, focusing on South Africa's alignment with actors like China, Russia, and Hamas. It requires the President to certify whether South Africa has undermined U.S. national security or foreign policy interests and to submit reports to Congress detailing findings and identifying individuals potentially subject to sanctions for corruption or human rights abuses. The Act expresses concern over South Africa's foreign policy decisions and their potential impact on U.S. interests.
U.S. Puts South Africa Relationship Under Review: Bill Mandates Security Assessment, Eyes Potential Sanctions
This legislation, the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, puts the relationship between the two countries squarely under the microscope. Within 30 days of enactment, the President must formally determine and report to Congress whether South Africa's actions have undermined U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. Following that, a comprehensive review of the entire bilateral relationship is required within 120 days. The bill essentially hits pause and asks: is this relationship working for the U.S.?
What's Driving the Review?
The bill doesn't mince words about its concerns, laid out in its 'Findings' section (Sec. 2). It points to a series of actions by South Africa's government and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) that it claims are inconsistent with stated neutrality. These include: alleged long-standing support for Hamas, deepening ties with China and Russia (citing joint naval exercises with Russia and China, allowing sanctioned Russian vessels to dock, and ANC interactions with the Chinese Communist Party), and specific statements and actions perceived as anti-Israel, particularly after the October 7, 2023 attacks. The bill also mentions internal issues like alleged government mismanagement, corruption, and failures in public services as part of the context.
The Nitty-Gritty: Certification and Full Review
So, what does this review actually involve? First, there's the certification (Sec. 4). The President, consulting with the Secretaries of State and Defense, has to make a public call on whether South Africa has crossed a line regarding U.S. interests. This isn't just a behind-the-scenes assessment; it requires a public justification, though details might be kept classified if necessary. Think of it as a formal performance review of the relationship, triggered by specific concerns.
Second, there's the broader relationship audit (Sec. 5). This involves multiple federal agencies looking at all aspects of U.S.-South Africa ties – likely covering everything from trade and aid to defense cooperation and diplomatic engagement. The goal is a detailed report mapping out the current state of play and, implicitly, informing future U.S. policy.
The Sanctions Angle
Perhaps the most significant part for individuals is Section 6. This requires the President to identify senior South African government officials and ANC leaders who could potentially be sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. This act targets individuals globally involved in significant corruption or human rights abuses. The bill demands a classified report listing these individuals, explaining why they're on the list based on credible evidence, and stating either when sanctions might be imposed or why they won't be. This puts specific people on notice, potentially facing asset freezes or travel bans, though the decision-making process remains largely behind closed doors.