South Africa Opposition Urges President to Resist US Pressure Over Ambassador Expulsion

Opposition parties in South Africa urge President Ramaphosa not to be bullied by the US following the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. The situation illustrates the declining relationship between the two nations. Calls for face-to-face discussions and collaborative foreign policy among coalition parties have surfaced, emphasizing South Africa’s sovereignty.

Opposition parties in South Africa are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to resist being influenced by the United States following the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. The US government granted Rasool a mere 72 hours to exit the country after State Secretary Marco Rubio labeled him a “race-baiting politician who hates America.” This incident highlights the deteriorating relations between South Africa and the US under President Donald Trump.

Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola emphasized the importance of direct discussions rather than engaging in Twitter diplomacy, favoring face-to-face communication to resolve tensions. Contrastingly, Julius Malema from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) expressed strong condemnation of the US, urging Ramaphosa to stand firm against what he termed the bullying of the South African government by the current US administration.

Additionally, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) criticized the US’s actions, describing them as an infringement on South Africa’s sovereignty. PAC Secretary General Apa Pooe stated, “SA is not a puppet of the US, we have the right to govern our country without any interference.”

Relations soured further when Trump publicly criticized South Africa’s land reform bill, which facilitates government acquisition of land without compensation. Following this, Trump cut aid to South Africa, citing alleged discrimination against the white Afrikaner minority, a claim that South Africa has refuted.

Ebrahim Rasool, who had a prior ambassadorship from 2010 to 2015 under President Obama, returned to that role in 2024. Despite his history and connections, he has encountered obstacles in arranging meetings with Trump. An unnamed South African diplomat indicated that Rasool’s past pro-Palestine stance may hinder effective diplomatic engagement.

Moreover, the Democratic Alliance (DA), part of South Africa’s coalition government, has raised concerns regarding the dominance of the African National Congress (ANC) in foreign diplomatic appointments. DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp criticized the ANC’s unilateral control over foreign policy decisions, advocating for balanced representation among coalition parties in diplomatic roles to alleviate diplomatic tensions with the US.

In summation, the recent expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has prompted strong reactions from South African opposition parties, calling for the nation to maintain its sovereignty against perceived US bullying. This incident reflects broader issues in US-South Africa relations, particularly amidst Trump’s administration. Politicians have expressed the need for open dialogue and collaborative foreign policy efforts among coalition members to mitigate tensions with the US.

Original Source: www.bbc.com