Who will replace Ebrahim Rasool as South Africa’s US Ambassador? Leon and Sisulu in the spotlight

Lindiwe Sisulu

Cape Town – Former DA leader Tony Leon and former ANC MP Lindiwe Sisulu have informally emerged as contenders for South Africa’s next ambassador to the US, following the recent expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool.

DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille endorsed Leon for the position, praising his diplomatic experience.

She argued that the US is a key partner for South Africa and emphasised the need for an effective diplomat to maintain relations.

“It doesn’t help South Africa to alienate the United States. Many American companies are invested here; we cannot turn America into an enemy. We have to put an excellent diplomat into that position to build relations with the US. I would choose somebody like Tony Leon. I think he would be excellent. He has been a very good ambassador in Argentina. He has all the skills and is a good intellectual and understand foreign policy.”

On the other hand, the Activists and Citizens Forum nominated Sisulu, citing her leadership qualities, according to IOL. 

“We believe that former Minister, Dr Lindiwe Sisulu, has the necessary qualities to represent the country.

“Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has been expelled by US President Donald Trump and on his way home, President Cyril Ramaphosa has the responsibility to speed-up the appointment of the Ambassador. We urgently need a replacement. President Ramaphosa must avoid leaving a vacuum in such an important office,” the report quoted Dennis Bloem as saying, on behalf of the forum.

Rasool was expelled by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month after accusing President Donald Trump and his administration of supremacism.

Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said last week that the president will carefully consider the ambassadorial appointment, aiming to resolve the diplomatic stalemate without rushing the process.

“It’s not a process the president wants to rush. It a process he wants to apply his mind to against the prevailing conditions as well as the opportunity we see further down the line for an improved relationship with the Trump administration,” Magwenya said.

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