South Africa to appoint new US ambassador after diplomatic rift
South Africa is set to appoint a new ambassador to the US following the expulsion of former envoy Ebrahim Rasool in March 2025. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa will name a successor once Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas lays the groundwork for restoring bilateral ties.
South Africa will appoint a new US ambassador after the 2025 expulsion of former envoy Ebrahim Rasool.
Rasool's expulsion, due to criticisms of Trump administration policies, strained US-South Africa relations.
The South African government aims to strengthen bilateral relations with focus on mutual interests and cooperation.
Rasool was declared persona non grata by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for criticising the Trump administration's policies. The removal marks a major setback in US-South African relations, which have been strained over issues including land reform and South Africa's lawsuits against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
In response, President Ramaphosa appointed Jonas, a former Deputy Finance Minister, as Special Representative to the United States effective April 14, 2025. Jonas is tasked with working with U.S. officials and stakeholders to improve diplomatic and trade relations. Minister Lamola stressed that Jonas' role is to 'lay the foundations that will help us navigate uncharted waters' and that the appointment of a new representative will take place in due course.
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