SOUTH AFRICA: Biden To Press Ramaphosa For Support Against Russia

14:15 ET 19:15 BST: US President Joe Biden will host his South Africa counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House today amid concern within the Biden Administration at the lack of support in Africa for the US-led sanctions against Russia and a proposed price cap on Russian oil.

• The meeting is expected to focus on the war in Ukraine, increasing influence of China in sub-Saharan Africa, and alleged Russian interference in South African democracy.
• Ramaphosa has decline to support Russia measures and South Africa has abstained from UN votes, part of a wider lukewarm African response to the war in Ukraine.
  • South Africa was among the 23 African abstentions, with another 11 not voting, on a UN resolution to suspend Russia from the UNHRC in April.
• A White House official said: "The goal is to have a conversation about the conflict in Ukraine: how we got there, and how we get out of it, and in hearing from President Ramaphosa about his thoughts on the best way forward...”
• Reuters writes: “Biden, who has led an international coalition to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for the near-seven-month war in Ukraine, wants South Africa's help in efforts that include forcing Moscow to sell its oil at below-market rates.”