Sydney Kamlager-Dove: “I opposed this bill when it was considered in the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I oppose this amendment today. South…”

“I opposed this bill when it was considered in the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I oppose this amendment today. South Africa is a key partner of the United States and has been critical to driving innovation and investment on the Continent of Africa. It is also true that South Africa has taken a number of policy stances I do not agree with and don't believe are helpful to advancing further peace and prosperity, including an all-too-forgiving stance on Russia. If our goal as the United States is to achieve an open and cooperative partnership with South Africa that advances both our countries' interests, this amendment will not accomplish that. Almost 2 years ago, the Biden administration put out a U.S. strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa, noting it is impossible to meet today's defining challenges without African contributions in leadership. Underpinning that strategy is the concept that the United States can offer positive choices to Africans, for instance, as they determine their own future. In other words, we have the opportunity and responsibility to present options to our African partners that they can judge to be worthwhile and in their best interest. We don't get to impose our ideas, and we should be making a compelling case for why it makes sense to partner with the United States and work together to achieve shared interests.…”