South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has accused the U.S. of pursuing regime change agenda in the country through its youth training programme.
ANC spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa, said on Tuesday in Johannesburg that there was an attempt by the imperialist to destabilise not just South Africa but the sub region.
“They have taken about 45 young people to America to train them as part of their leadership programme.
“What we got from those young people is not what they expected; they were trained on how to destabilise the country and regime change,” he said.
Kodwa said that at a certain point, the party would authorise some of the U.S. trained students, to address the media.
“When they came back, many of them were distributed to higher institutions of learning.
“They came to us and said we suspect what we attended in America is not what we want, “he said.
Kodwa said the U.S. had through its website insisted the students were part of a programme where young Africans were trained on promotion of peace and security in the continent and democratic governance.
The spokesperson said that the U.S. wanted to replace the ANC “with whatever thing that is not ANC because the party remains an opposition to the imperialist agenda.”
He said that the party was taking the issue seriously and would engage the U.S. government over it.
“We are engaging through the diplomatic channels with America that we have picked its agenda to destabilize South Africa.
South Africa had since last year seen waves of protests by university students, which the ANC said were led by a “third force.”
Meanwhile, ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, has accused the U.S. embassy in South Africa of holding meetings aimed at “regime change” in the country.
He made the accusation while addressing an anti-racism march in Pretoria.
The U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Patrick Gaspard, has dismissed the ANC claims.
“I wish that someone will invite me to these meetings.
“Let’s not blame others for our own challenges,” he said. (Xinhua/NAN)
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