By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
US President Joe Biden has congratulated his counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa on his recent re-election and the successful formation of a Government of National Unity.
The two leaders held a telephone discussion on Tuesday evening.
Ramaphosa announced his new Cabinet, which includes several members from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the United Democratic Movement (UDM), among others.
According to the Presidency, Biden told Ramaphosa on Tuesday that he would collaborate with South Africa during its Presidency of the G20 in 2025. Biden also confirmed his intention to visit South Africa and participate in the G20 meetings.
“Biden pledged that the United States will work closely with the seventh administration in South Africa on key areas such as economic growth, job creation, social development and climate change as well as South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025,” presidency statement read.
“Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for this commitment and in turn extended an invitation to Biden to undertake a state visit to South Africa. Dates will be confirmed by the respective diplomatic teams.”
Diplomats said it meant a lot that Biden had made the gesture of calling Ramaphosa at a time when he is under huge pressure at home in a very difficult re-election campaign.
After what was widely rated as a disastrous debate with his Republican opponent, former president Donald Trump, Biden (81) faces growing demands from the Democratic Party to back out of the November presidential election and allow a younger and more vigorous candidate to take on Trump.
South Africa will take over the presidency of the G20 at the end of this year and will host the annual summit of the group late in 2025.
Given that Biden was trailing Trump in the polls even before last Thursday’s presidential debate, it is by no means certain that it will be Biden rather than Trump who visits South Africa for the G20 summit.
The two presidents “expressed their shared commitment to advancing the special relationship between the two countries”, Presidency said
Biden’s recommitment to strengthening relations with South Africa comes just after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation that would require the Biden administration to thoroughly review US relations with SA and to report to Congress on whether SA has undermined US national security and foreign policy interests through its relations with Russia, China and Iran.
However, the legislation would also have to be adopted by the Democratic Party-controlled Senate before becoming law.
Relations between South Africa and the United States have not always been smooth.
The two countries have clashed on several issues, including South Africa’s relations with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Ramaphosa’s administration has refrained from condemning Russia for the invasion, opting instead for discussions between the two countries to end the war.
In May last year, US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety sparked controversy by suggesting that South Africa had supplied weapons to Russia.
The government denied the allegations and established an independent panel, led by retired Judge Phineas Mojapelo, to investigate.
The panel found no evidence to suggest that South Africa had loaded weapons onto Lady R for export to Russia or that any criminal conduct occurred during the docking or offloading of the ship.