In response to deteriorating diplomatic relations with the United States, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his country's sovereignty during a State of the Nation address. He highlighted the challenges of rising nationalism and protectionism globally, asserting that South Africa would not yield to external bullying. This comes after comments from US officials criticizing South Africa's land expropriation bill, and the decision by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to skip upcoming G20 talks in Johannesburg. Ramaphosa's remarks underscore the resilience and determination of the South African people amid external pressures.
"We are witnessing the rise of nationalism, protectionism, the pursuit of narrow interests, and the decline of common cause," Ramaphosa said during his State of the Nation address.
"This is the world that we as South Africa, a developing economy, must now navigate, but we are not daunted," he said.
"We are, as South Africans, a resilient people, and we will not be bullied," Ramaphosa said to cheers from some lawmakers in parliament.
"South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote 'solidarity, equality, & sustainability,'" Rubio posted on X.
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