[By Guancha Observer Network, Liu Chenghui] The expulsion of the South African ambassador, accusations of racial discrimination against whites, and cuts to aid... Since the Trump administration took office, the relations between the United States and South Africa have been in turmoil again. On April 27 local time, Gwede Mantashe, chairman of the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party of South Africa, said at a celebration event that South Africa is a free and sovereign nation, not a state of the United States.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), on this day, the South African government held Freedom Day celebrations in Mpumalanga Province in the east of the country to commemorate the 31st anniversary of South Africa's realization of democratic freedom, with more than 2000 people attending the event. Mantashe delivered the keynote speech on behalf of President Ramaphosa, who was unable to attend due to illness.

"On April 27, 1994, the dignity of the South African people, whether black or white, was restored. Many people believe that the freedom of 1994 only liberated the blacks. But they do not understand that it also freed the whites from immoral behavior," Mantashe said. "Apartheid was declared a crime against humanity. Every South African has been liberated from this crime against humanity, which is what we should celebrate."

On April 27, Mantashe attended the South African Freedom Day celebration. South African Presidency Facebook account

Mantashe urged the public to abandon racial divisions on the occasion of the 31st anniversary celebration. He said, "We will not allow anyone to define us, no one can define us, tell us who we are, what we are, or make us oppose each other. No one can do that. We are a nation, and we must make choices that unite us. We must firmly resist all attempts to divide us based on race."

Regarding the deadlock between South Africa and the United States over racial issues and land laws, Mantashe emphasized, "We are a free nation, we are a sovereign nation. We are not a province (state) of the United States, and we will defend our sovereignty."

He also expressed dissatisfaction with South African citizens calling for Trump to "punish" South Africa. He said, "Now they are told to go there as refugees, but they refuse. They should go."

Since President Ramaphosa signed the new Land Expropriation Bill on January 23, the relationship between South Africa and the United States has become tense. The bill clearly states that the South African government can expropriate land under conditions that serve the public interest, and stipulates procedures for consultation and compensation with landowners according to the constitution.

Soon after, US President Trump issued an executive order cutting all aid to South Africa, citing that the South African government "sued Israel, an ally of the United States," supported Hamas and Iran, and used the new version of the Land Expropriation Act to "confiscate land" for "racial discrimination against whites."

Elon Musk, born in South Africa, also criticized South Africa for fabricating "publicly racist ownership laws," implying that whites were victims.

US Secretary of State Rubio stated on March 14 that the United States had expelled Ibrahim Rasul, the South African ambassador to the United States, and called Rasul a "racist politician," accusing him of hating the United States and Trump.

However, the Associated Press (AP) believed that the US criticism of South Africa was "misguided," and the South African government also refuted it, stating that the US criticism was driven by misinformation. The South African government said that the Land Expropriation Act aims to address historical inequalities, but it will not be used as a confiscation tool; instead, it will target unused land.

In order to ease relations with the United States, Ramaphosa announced in Johannesburg on April 14 that he would appoint Mcebisi Jonas, former deputy minister of finance, as the new South African special envoy to the United States. Jonas will report directly to the president and mainly responsible for strategic communication with the US government and private sector, promoting South Africa's diplomatic and economic interests. This personnel adjustment was also seen as a key measure taken by the South African government to repair its recent damaged relations with America.

It is worth noting that the Trump administration's pressure on South Africa has made some US media anxious.

"The United States may find that Trump's response will backfire," Bloomberg previously published an article criticizing Trump for "playing right into China's hands." In the current situation where the United States is attempting to compete with China for global resource control, Trump chose to distance himself from South Africa, the largest mineral reserve country in Africa, which is an odd policy. The report believes that South Africa is an important country in the Global South. Trump's policies not only alienated the United States from South Africa but also enhanced China's influence.

This article is an exclusive article by the Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498294302443962916/

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