President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to visit the United States next week amid mounting diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington over Afrikaner refugee claims and the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US.
The four-day working visit, scheduled to begin on 19 May, will see Ramaphosa meeting US President Donald Trump to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues.
The South African Presidency said that the trip presents an opportunity to reset diplomatic relations, which have been strained since Trump’s inauguration in January.
“The president’s visit to the US provides a platform to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries,” it said.
The tensions stem from an executive order issued by Trump, allowing Afrikaner South Africans to immigrate to the US under refugee status, citing alleged government persecution.
South African officials have dismissed these claims as baseless, arguing that Afrikaners do not meet the legal definition of refugees under international law.
South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Thursday that official crime statistics contradict claims of racial persecution and that the US narrative does not align with the reality in South Africa.
“Cabinet rejects the narrative by the government of the US and remains open to constructive engagement to share a better and common understanding over these matters,” she said.
Further straining relations, Washington expelled South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool after he criticised Trump, prompting Ramaphosa to appoint former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the US.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the US government intends to boycott this year’s G20 summit in protest against South Africa’s stance on major global issues, including its relations with China and Russia and Pretoria’s condemnation of Israel’s military offensive against Palestine.
Despite the challenges, Ntshavheni told journalists that Ramaphosa remains firm that South Africa “will not be bullied” and expects cordial discussions in Washington.
“He is the one who made the public announcement so there is no-one who invites a guest to mistreat them,” Ntshavheni said.
She noted that while disagreements arise, the relationship between South Africa and the US remains mutually beneficial, adding that Pretoria is confident in its position as a key player in global diplomacy.
JN/APA