U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025

This legislation tells the U.S. government to take a fresh, hard look at its relationship with South Africa. It asks the President to publicly state within 30 days whether South Africa has acted in ways that harm U.S. national security or foreign policy, and to explain why. It also orders a full review of U.S.–South Africa ties across diplomacy, defense, and trade, done with top agencies, and sent to Congress within 120 days.

Within the same 120 days, the administration must give Congress a classified list of senior South African government officials and ANC leaders who could face U.S. human rights sanctions, with evidence for each name and either a timeline for sanctions or a detailed reason not to proceed. The bill’s stated concern is South Africa’s support for Hamas and its closer ties with China and Russia, which Congress says can undercut U.S. interests.

• Who is affected: U.S. foreign policy agencies; senior South African officials and ANC leaders who may be named for potential sanctions.
• What changes: A public 30-day decision on South Africa’s actions; a government-wide review of the relationship; a classified sanctions list with evidence and next steps.
• When: 30 days for the public determination; 120 days for the full review and the sanctions report to Congress.