Biden to meet South Africa leader amid differences on Russia
The White House announced on Thursday that the US President Joe Biden will meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa this month, as the administration looks to draw African nations closer to the US. On Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this happens at a time when South Africa and many of its neighbors have staked out neutral ground. Last month, the announcement of the September 16 visit comes on the heels of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to South Africa, in which he said that in tackling global problems the Biden administration sees Africa’s 54 nations as equal partners. To follow the US in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine the administration has been disappointed that South Africa and much of the continent have declined. To condemn Russia’s action South Africa abstained in a United Nations vote, and Ramaphosa has avoided any criticism of Russia and instead has called for a mediated peace. The officials said in April Biden and Ramaphosa...