The concept of gunboat diplomacy, once associated with the British Royal Navy and American Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in Japan with warships in 1853, has evolved in modern times. Today, African nations face a new era of diplomatic pressure, where powerful countries use tools such as visa restrictions and trade measures to influence their policies. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has implemented restrictions on entry to the country, affecting several African nations. These measures have raised concerns about the impact on African sovereignty and the ability of governments to make independent choices.
In June 2025, the US imposed full entry restrictions on nationals of seven African countries, including Chad, the Republic of the Congo, and Sudan. A December expansion added further African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, while imposing partial restrictions on others, such as Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania. These measures have been presented as responses to security concerns, inadequate screening, and visa overstays. However, they demonstrate the power that comes with controlling access and have sparked concerns about the impact on African economies and governments.
South Africa offers a revealing case study of the new era of diplomatic pressure. On September 15, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions targeting individuals involved in policies that Washington says enable uncompensated land seizures, racial discrimination, or the incitement of violence against minority groups. While no individuals were named, the restrictions have been seen as an instrument of political leverage. Prof. Piet Croucamp, a political analyst from North-West University, notes that the ambiguity of the restrictions makes them a flexible political stick that can be used selectively.
The implications of the US visa restrictions on South Africa deserve attention beyond Pretoria. Croucamp warns that the restrictions mark another step in the Trump administration's deterioration of relations with South Africa. The restrictions are less a precise legal instrument than a flexible political stick that can be used selectively, targeting anyone from legislators to bureaucrats and other officials. This has raised concerns about the impact on South Africa's economy and its ability to make independent choices.
The concern for African governments is that the use of visa restrictions and trade measures as tools of diplomatic pressure may become a new normal. This could lead to a situation where access to powerful countries becomes conditional on accepting their interpretation of domestic policy, diplomatic priorities, and preferred partnerships. Croucamp notes that South Africa's foreign policy is driven less by consistent human rights principles than by ideology and the ANC's historical relationships, making it a complicated picture.
The use of visa restrictions and trade measures as tools of diplomatic pressure has sparked concerns about the impact on African economies and governments. Croucamp warns that targeting individuals through visa restrictions makes it easier to escalate to trade measures, which would hurt far more people than a visa ban. Changes to AGOA access or tariffs would have a significant impact on South Africa's economy and people. This highlights the need for African governments to strengthen their economies and develop more trading partners.
Africa's answer to the new era of diplomatic pressure cannot end with indignation or reliance on another powerful capital. Greater room to make independent choices requires stronger economies, more trading partners, and more trade within Africa. The African Continental Free Trade Area aims to create a single market for goods and services and deepen the continent's economic integration. Making that ambition work would also strengthen Africa's ability to negotiate and resist external pressure.
Key points
- The use of visa restrictions and trade measures as tools of diplomatic pressure has sparked concerns about African sovereignty.
- The impact of these measures on African economies and governments has raised concerns about the ability of governments to make independent choices.
- Strengthening African economies and developing more trading partners is crucial to resisting external pressure.
