US Lawmakers Concerned Over AGOA Summit Location

A group of US lawmakers has urged for the relocation of a planned US-Africa trade summit from South Africa due to concerns about the country’s growing military ties with Russia.

They also expressed the possibility of South Africa losing its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a prominent trade program initiated by the United States. In a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other high-ranking officials, the lawmakers emphasized their worries that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would implicitly endorse the country’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The South African foreign ministry spokesperson responded on Twitter, stating that there has been no decision by the State Department or White House to relocate the AGOA Forum from South Africa. While acknowledging the concerns raised by Congress, a special assistant to President Joe Biden focused on Africa mentioned that the White House is engaged in discussions with South Africa regarding the potential security partnership with Russia. However, he did not disclose whether a change of venue for the AGOA Forum was under consideration.