US-SA relations | Blinken vows not to dictate to Africa

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor (R) and
Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L)
attend a strategic dialogue opening session meeting
at the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
 (Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP)

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the US will not dictate Africa's choices.

He's in South Africa as part of a three-nation tour of the continent.

Blinken's remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Russia over the war in Ukraine.

South Africa has maintained neutrality on the invasion, refusing to publicly criticise Russia.

"Too often, African nations have been treated as instruments of other nations’ progress rather than the authors of their own. They’ve been told to pick a side in great power contest that are far removed from the daily struggles of their people."

"The US will not dictate Africa’s choice neither should anyone… the right to make these choices belong to Africans," he said.

Full story at ENCA.