Pretending that relations between the US and South Africa were in good shape, or avoiding recognising the real differences between the two countries was unwise for both of them, and would only aggravate the strains between the two countries.
This is the view of Michelle Gavin, an analyst at the US Council on Foreign Relations and a former ambassador to Botswana.
She was reflecting on the tensions between the two countries in the wake of accusations from the US ambassador that South Africa provided war materials to Russia.
She said that there were historical and ideological divides between the two countries, and romanticising the relationship was not in either’s best interests. Many in South Africa’s leadership were deeply hostile towards the US, and shared democratic values would not necessarily bridge this.
She concluded: ‘Just as the United States cannot achieve its goals at home and abroad without an honest acknowledgement of our own flaws, Washington cannot conduct foreign policy without a clear-eyed assessment of our partners. That’s not bullying, it’s operating in reality. Over and over, South African words and deeds demonstrate that what would seem to be fertile ground of shared interests and values in democratic societies is, for the time being, a mirage. Some honesty may rock the diplomatic boat, but ultimately will lead to fewer dashed hopes and fruitless overtures. In the best case, telling the truth can point toward the strategic clarity that US-Africa policy needs.’
The piece has been widely read and republished. It can be found here.