Despite Pretoria’s declared neutrality, perceived close ties between Russia and South Africa, an important US trading partner in Africa, have ruffled feathers in Washington.
The US and its allies have imposed sanctions on Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine, including against its military industrial base, financial sector and President Vladimir Putin.
Adeyemo will discuss sanctions while on the trip, the spokesperson said, including recent changes to the Zimbabwe sanctions programme.
Further straining relations, South Africa has been among the most outspoken critics of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
In a case before the International Court of Justice, South Africa has accused Israel of state-led genocide in the Palestinian enclave, a charge Washington has denounced as baseless.
While in South Africa, Adeyemo will meet government counterparts and on Thursday will attend an inter-agency meeting on countering illicit finance, the spokesperson said.
He will also attend a round-table…
