This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ylem5j081o

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
South Africa will defend sovereignty, ANC chair says amid US tensions South Africa will defend sovereignty, ANC chair says amid US tensions
(about 1 hour later)
Gwede Mantashe is critical of South Africans who wish to "punish" the countryGwede Mantashe is critical of South Africans who wish to "punish" the country
A senior figure from South Africa's ruling ANC party has defended his country's sovereignty amid growing tensions with the US over race relations and a new land law.A senior figure from South Africa's ruling ANC party has defended his country's sovereignty amid growing tensions with the US over race relations and a new land law.
"We are a free country, we're a sovereign country. We're not a province of the United States and that sovereignty will be defended," ANC National Chair Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday."We are a free country, we're a sovereign country. We're not a province of the United States and that sovereignty will be defended," ANC National Chair Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump has hit out at South Africa's new expropriation law, signing an executive order in February stating it was a means to which the government could "seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation".US President Donald Trump has hit out at South Africa's new expropriation law, signing an executive order in February stating it was a means to which the government could "seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation".
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the law ensures "public access to land in an equitable and just manner".President Cyril Ramaphosa says the law ensures "public access to land in an equitable and just manner".
Almost 70,000 South Africans interested in US asylumAlmost 70,000 South Africans interested in US asylum
Envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa rowEnvoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row
What's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa?What's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa?
The expropriation law does allow the government to seize land without compensation, but only in certain circumstances.The expropriation law does allow the government to seize land without compensation, but only in certain circumstances.
Trump's February order also opened the door for Afrikaaners to be admitted to the US as refugees, describing them as "victims of unjust racial discrimination". Trump's February order also opened the door for Afrikaners to be admitted to the US as refugees, describing them as "victims of unjust racial discrimination".
But standing in for Ramaphosa in a speech at South Africa's Freedom Day celebration in the eastern province of Mpumalanga, Mantashe criticised South African citizens who have called on Trump to "punish" the country. Standing in for Ramaphosa in a speech at South Africa's Freedom Day celebration in the eastern province of Mpumalanga, Mantashe criticised South African citizens who have called on Trump to "punish" the country.
"Now they are told to go there and be refugees, they are refusing. They must go," he said."Now they are told to go there and be refugees, they are refusing. They must go," he said.
Tensions have also played out publicly on Elon Musk's X page, where he has described his country's ownership laws as "racist".Tensions have also played out publicly on Elon Musk's X page, where he has described his country's ownership laws as "racist".
Currently white South Africans, who are a minority of the population, own most of the country's private land and wealth, despite the racist system of apartheid ending decades ago.Currently white South Africans, who are a minority of the population, own most of the country's private land and wealth, despite the racist system of apartheid ending decades ago.
In an effort to quell tensions which have rumbled on for months, South Africa appointed a special envoy to Washington earlier this month.In an effort to quell tensions which have rumbled on for months, South Africa appointed a special envoy to Washington earlier this month.
Mcebisi Jonas will be tasked with advancing the country's "diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities," Ramaphosa said.Mcebisi Jonas will be tasked with advancing the country's "diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities," Ramaphosa said.
The move comes after Washington expelled South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, after he accused Trump of "dog whistle" politics.The move comes after Washington expelled South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, after he accused Trump of "dog whistle" politics.
Last month, officials from the all-white separatist town of Orania, founded by Afrikaaners after the end of apartheid, visited the US as part of efforts to gain recognition as an autonomous state. Last month, officials from the all-white separatist town of Orania, founded by Afrikaners after the end of apartheid, visited the US as part of efforts to gain recognition as an autonomous state.
A South African foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters at the time that Orania was not a country and was subject to South African laws. In his address on Sunday, Mantashe suggested he would seek to integrate the community in Orania.
"Black people must go and build there, and we mix them," he said.
He added that "hatred can never survive peace. It is peace that builds a nation".
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaFollow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica