Washington, D.C. – July 27, 2025 -The Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation (LVS Foundation) today issued a statement applauding the significant progress of the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 (H.R.2633), which recently cleared the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a decisive 34-16 vote. The Foundation views this legislation as a critical step toward addressing South Africa's increasingly troubling alignment with authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations that fundamentally undermine democratic values and global security.

The Act: A Necessary Response to Troubling Developments

The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, introduced by Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13) with initial co-sponsorship from Representative John James, represents a comprehensive legislative response to South Africa's concerning foreign policy trajectory. The bill mandates a full review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa and provides the framework for identifying South African government officials and African National Congress (ANC) leaders eligible for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

Key provisions of the Act include:

• Presidential Certification: Requiring the President to determine within 30 days whether South Africa has engaged in activities undermining US national security or foreign policy interests (latest:Mandating a 120-day comprehensive review of US-South Africa relations involving multiple federal agencies)
• Sanctions Framework: Establishing mechanisms to identify and potentially sanction South African officials and ANC leaders for corruption or human rights abuses

South Africa's Concerning Foreign Policy Alignment

The legislation addresses a pattern of concerning behaviors documented in the Congressional findings, including South Africa's deepening ties with authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations. These include:

Support for Hamas and Iran: Since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, South African officials have made numerous antisemitic statements, hosted Hamas leaders, and filed politically motivated cases against Israel at international courts. Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor even accepted calls from Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and visited Tehran to meet with Iranian President Raisi.

Military Cooperation with Russia and China: South Africa has allowed US-sanctioned Russian cargo ships to dock at naval bases, conducted joint military exercises with Russia and China during the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and permitted sanctioned Russian military aircraft to land at South African Air Force bases.

Economic Ties with Adversaries: The ANC received $826,000 from US-sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg in 2022, while expanding cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Bipartisan Congressional Support and Opposition

The bill has garnered significant Republican support, with the House Foreign Affairs Committee passing it with strong backing from members who cited South Africa's "troubling shifts" in foreign policy and alignment with "authoritarian regimes". Supporters described the legislation as a "pro-accountability" measure rather than an anti-South African one.

However, the bill faced opposition from Democratic members who argued that differences should be resolved through diplomatic channels rather than punitive legislation. Critics described the bill as "heavy-handed" and warned it could push South Africa further away from the United States.

Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation's Position

Dr. Fundji Benedict, founder of the Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation, emphasized the critical importance of this legislation in defending democratic values: "The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act represents exactly the kind of principled accountability that democracies must embrace when faced with the erosion of fundamental values. South Africa's support for Hamas, its military cooperation with Russia during the invasion of Ukraine, and its deepening ties with authoritarian regimes represent a fundamental betrayal of the democratic principles that once defined the post-apartheid South African state."

The Foundation's support for the Act aligns with its core mission of defending liberty, democracy, and human rights through strategic research and advocacy. As outlined in the Foundation's comprehensive approach, "We rigorously investigate and pursue legal action against corruption, human rights abuses, and illicit financial activities that undermine democratic institutions".

The Path Forward

While the bill has cleared its first legislative hurdle, it must still pass the full House of Representatives and Senate before becoming law. With Republicans controlling both chambers, supporters express cautious optimism about its prospects. However, experts note that similar legislation in previous congressional sessions has faced challenges in the Senate.

The Foundation calls upon all members of Congress to support this critical accountability measure. "This is not about punishing the South African people, who deserve better from their government," Dr. Benedict noted. "This is about holding accountable those who have chosen to align with terrorists and authoritarian regimes while abandoning the democratic values that should define the post-apartheid South African state."

A Broader Context of Global Democratic Challenges

The Act comes at a time when democratic institutions worldwide face unprecedented challenges from authoritarian influence operations and terrorist networks. The Foundation's research has documented how countries like Qatar leverage diplomatic and economic tools to expand influence while funding extremist organizations. Similarly, South Africa's trajectory represents a concerning example of how democratic nations can drift toward authoritarianism through incremental policy choices.

The Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation continues to monitor these developments through its Cohesive Research Ecosystem (CORE), which integrates research on countering hybrid threats, addressing governance collapse, and combating terrorism and antisemitism. The Foundation's work demonstrates that defending democracy requires both rigorous analysis and bold action when fundamental principles are under threat.

Conclusion

The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 represents more than just bilateral legislation—it embodies a commitment to the principle that democracies must hold each other accountable to shared values. The Liberty Values & Strategy Foundation applauds Congressman Jackson's leadership in introducing this vital legislation and urges swift passage by both chambers of Congress.

As the Foundation's mission statement declares: "More than thinkers, we are doers". The passage of this Act would demonstrate that American leadership remains committed to defending democratic values, even when it requires difficult conversations with longtime partners who have lost their way.