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US Lawmakers Ask Biden To Sanction South Africa For Allegedly Supporting Russia

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Some lawmakers in the United States have asked President Joe Biden’s administration to punish South Africa for its alleged support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which turn into a full-blown war.

The bipartisan group urged Biden Africa to relocate an important trade meeting to another country, according to CBS.

The lawmakers said South Africa’s “aid” for Russia, including allegedly supplying Moscow with weapons, put a question on its eligibility to receive trade benefits from the US.

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They said the penalty should hinder trade benefits from the US under a law that boosted US market access to qualifying sub-Saharan African countries.

The letter, dated June 9, was sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

READ ALSO: Trump Warns Of ‘Anarchy’ if US Re-elects Biden, Vows To Crush Incumbent

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South African foreign ministry spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a statement that the letter had been “noted” but South Africa still “enjoys the support of the US government” for its hosting of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) meeting.

South Africa is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the act, which allows sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market offered they meet certain conditions.

South Africa’s exports to the US through AGOA were estimated at $3 billion last year. The US is South Africa’s second-biggest trade partner behind China.

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Moving November’s meeting to another country “would send a clear and important message that the United States continues to stand with Ukraine and will not accept our trading partners provision of aid to Russia’s ongoing and brutal invasion,” the letter from the US lawmakers said.

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It was signed by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; Republican Senator Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Rep Gregory Meeks, a Democrat and the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Republican Rep Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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The US considers South Africa an important political and economic partner even though the country — especially its ruling African National Congress party — has historic ties with Russia dating back to the days of the Soviet Union. Because of that, South Africa’s government says it has adopted a non-aligned position on the war in Ukraine.

But while the U.S. largely accepted that position, it has viewed some of South Africa’s recent actions as not being neutral but actively favouring Russia in the war.

In their letter, they also referred to the visit of a Russian military plane, also under US sanctions, to a South African airbase in April, and South Africa’s decision to host Russian and Chinese warships for naval drills in February that coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion.

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“We are seriously concerned that hosting the 2023 AGOA Forum in South Africa would serve as an implicit endorsement of South Africa’s damaging support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and possible violation of U.S. sanctions law,” said the lawmakers’ letter.

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How Our Airstrikes Stopped Christmas Attacks In Nigeria — US Lawmaker

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Riley Moore, a member of the United States House of Representatives from West Virginia’s 2nd District, has linked the absence of Christmas attacks in Nigeria this year to US military airstrikes carried out against Islamist militants on Christmas Day.

In a post on his official X account on Saturday, Moore contrasted the situation with the past two Christmas seasons, during which he claimed Christians were killed in attacks across parts of Nigeria.

The lawmaker noted that this year’s response targeted extremist groups instead of marking another period of violence.

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READ ALSO:Rep Moore Confirms 12 Tomahawk Missiles Launched In Sokoto

He added that US forces acted decisively against militants in coordination with the Nigerian government.

For the past two Christmases, Christians have been murdered in Nigeria. This year, thanks to @POTUS, Radical Islamic Terrorists were on the receiving end of 12 Tomahawk missiles as a present.

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“The successful strikes on ISIS, in coordination with the Nigerian government, are just the first step to secure the country and end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore wrote.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that American forces had conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in north-western Nigeria.

Trump, who spoke via his Truth Social platform, warned that more attacks would follow if the militants continued killing Christians, adding that the Department of War executed numerous “perfect strikes.”

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U.S. Lawmaker Reacts To Nigeria, U.S. Airstrikes

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United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has stated that President Donald Trump is determined to put an end to the killing of Christians in Nigeria, warning that further action may follow if the violence persists.

Moore made the statement on Friday via his official X handle.

According to the lawmaker, the strike represents the first step in addressing what he described as the ongoing slaughter of Christians and the broader security crisis affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.

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READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria

President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end,” he said.

He that the administration’s resolve on the matter should not be underestimated.

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As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolved in this matter.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria

Tonight’s strike in coordination with the Nigerian government is just the first step to ending the slaughter of Christians and the security crisis affecting all Nigerians,” he said.

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He stressed that the operation signals a stronger stance by the United States in support of Nigeria’s efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism, noting that further measures could be taken if the situation does not improve.

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US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria

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A video footage of the US military air strikes in Nigeria has emerged.

The video was released by the US Department of War following its air strikes against terrorists in Sokoto.

Earlier, the US secretary of War, Pete Hegseth had confirmed that military air strikes hit terrorists in Nigerians, saying it was deadly.

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Later on, the US. African Command, confirmed that it conducted the attacks described as very deadly by President Donald Trump.

Trump said he was only keeping the promise he made earlier last month to strike the terrorists he believes are killing innocent Christians.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria

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Although described as powerful and deadly, the casualty caused by the attack is yet to be released.

Explaining further, security expert, Brant Philip, said the strikes may have been launched “from the USS Paul Ignatius, using a Tomahawk missile.”

The Nigerian government through its ministry of foreign affairs has also confirmed that the strikes were successful.

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