The Freedom Front Plus has taken a dispute over International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola’s handling of South Africa’s relationship with the United States to the Government of National Unity’s clearing house.
News24 reports that the move followed pressure from trade union Solidarity, which wanted GNU partners to formally challenge the government’s approach to talks with Washington.
The dispute adds to growing tension inside the coalition over foreign policy and South Africa’s strained relationship with the US.
Solidarity Pushes for Formal GNU Dispute
Solidarity had asked the FF Plus and Democratic Alliance to use the GNU’s internal dispute-resolution process over concerns about the government’s handling of US relations.
The union has argued that worsening ties with Washington could have economic consequences for South Africa, including risks linked to trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
Similar calls have also come from AfriForum. The organisation said GNU parties should use the clearing house if they believe the government’s foreign policy does not reflect sufficient agreement among coalition partners.
FF Plus Challenges Lamola’s Approach
The FF Plus has repeatedly criticised Lamola over his approach to the US and his comments about South African organisations campaigning abroad.
On 9 October, the party accused Lamola and the ANC of trying to silence critics following discussions about action against people accused of spreading misinformation about South Africa internationally. The FF Plus rejected that position and defended the right of civil society groups to engage overseas.
News24 has previously reported that the FF Plus and ANC have publicly clashed over how Pretoria should manage its relationship with Washington.
Clearing House Designed to Resolve GNU Disputes
The Presidency says the GNU clearing house was established specifically to deal with policy disagreements between coalition partners.
The mechanism brings GNU parties together to discuss areas where consensus has not been reached before disputes escalate further.
Lamola, meanwhile, has maintained that South Africa’s foreign policy should protect the country’s sovereignty and national interests. In March, he described the US as an important strategic partner while defending Pretoria’s right to set its own foreign policy.
The latest referral means the disagreement over relations with Washington will now move into the GNU’s formal internal dispute process.