The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) on Friday started mobilizing all workers "to actively participate" in the planned protests against U.S. President Barack Obama's visit.

The national union federation also urged other ruling alliance members -- the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) -- to participate in the protest.

COSATU International Relations Secretary Bongani Masuku said the protest will be held to demand an end to U. S. "warmongering."

"COSATU joins the millions of people and workers the world over, particularly on the African continent and in South Africa, who are outraged at the horrifying record of US foreign policy in the world," Masuku said in Johannesburg.

Obama will visit Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa from June 26 to July 3.

"The (U. S.) policy must be based on respect for human dignity and justice for the people of the world, including the people of the U. S. itself," Masuku said.

"COSATU is particularly disappointed by the Obama administration's record in continuing the appalling U. S. foreign policy promoting militarization of international relations," he added.

Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim on Friday said despite the planned protest, Obama's visit will be very important to South Africa and Africa in economic aspects.

"As far as protests are concerned, of course South Africa is a free, democratic country and anyone who wants to protest for whatever reason will have the right," Ebrahim said in a statement.

"It is important that the president of the United States is visiting South Africa. We have very good political and economic relations. The United States is an important player and we think we would benefit from discussing with the US the problems of Africa," he added.

COSATU, a key alliance members of the ruling ANC, vehemently denounces the U. S. support for oppressive regimes that "benefit U. S. narrow interests and U. S. polices on global warming in pursuit of narrow profit interests. It accuses the U. S. of perpetuating unequal and exploitative trade relations with Africa and the rest of the developing world.

"In this regard, we call on all workers, communities and activists, particularly working with our alliance partners, the SACP and the ANC, as well as the various progressive civil society formations, to join to demand an end to U. S. warmongering and for a new foreign policy based on respect for human dignity and justice for the people of the world, including the people of the U. S. itself," Masuku said.