Dispute within the GNU over AGOA

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have informed Solidarity of their planned action within the Government of National Unity (GNU) regarding the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the United States.

The FF Plus has formally declared a dispute within the GNU, while the DA has indicated that the matter will be placed on the Cabinet agenda, with the potential to declare a dispute. The DA has also announced several other steps it intends to take.

This follows a letter from Solidarity to the DA and FF Plus, calling on the two parties, who receive the majority of Solidarity members’ support at the ballot box, to enter a dispute within the GNU over AGOA.

According to Solidarity, the government’s reckless foreign policy could result in South Africa being excluded from AGOA. The White House is expected to decide on the matter on or before 1 November.

Solidarity emphasises that more than 500,000 jobs in South Africa depend on trade with the United States, of which approximately 250,000 are linked to AGOA.

Dr Dirk Hermann, Solidarity Chief Executive, says these actions send an important message that the ANC’s handling of relations with the US does not enjoy the support of all GNU partners.

“We welcome these actions. Workers and their families cannot be made to pay the price for the ANC’s ideological stubbornness. Jobs and trade relations must now take precedence over party politics,” says Hermann.

The FF Plus is calling for an urgent, coordinated government plan to retain South Africa’s AGOA benefits. The party also demands that Ministers Ronald Lamola and Parks Tau report to the GNU parties on negotiations with the US and on the concrete steps being taken to address outstanding US concerns.

The DA has confirmed that its leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has raised the matter personally with President Cyril Ramaphosa and that the party is already engaging with US government representatives. Minister Willie Aucamp will raise the issue in Cabinet and has also arranged an urgent discussion with the US government.

“The dispute strengthens our hand in discussions with the Americans, but it must now lead to decisive action. “Our members in the agricultural, motor manufacturing and mining industries need certainty about their jobs. They cannot afford to wait for a protracted government process,” says Hermann.

Solidarity plans to engage with the White House on AGOA this week and to hold further discussions with the US government in Washington later this month.

“We have only one goal in mind, and that is to save AGOA for South Africa and protect our people’s jobs. We have only a few weeks left. The government must now put the national interest ahead of the ANC’s ideology,” says Hermann.