North Korea has criticized the U.S. for seeking to pressure African nations to cut ties with the country in an article published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday.

The article carries quotes from an unnamed spokesperson from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry, and claims the U.S. is attempting to block economic exchange and cooperation opportunities.

Speaking about an apparent visit from an assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of State, the spokesperson said the individual told African nations to “break off all relations with the DPRK” over its nuclear program.

“It is no more than a clumsy trick that