The South African government has suspended discussions on granting a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, to operate in the country.

Authorities cited Musk’s “unprogressive and racist views” as the reason for halting negotiations. The move comes amid growing debates about the billionaire’s controversial statements and their potential impact on policy decisions.

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, has been expanding its satellite internet services across Africa, with operations in several countries. However, South Africa’s stance may hinder its entry into one of the continent’s largest markets.

The government has yet to announce whether discussions could resume in the future