Ramaphosa’s absence from Trump inauguration ‘not a diplomatic snub’

Cyril Ramaphosa

Cape Town – The Presidency has responded to claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s absence from the US presidential inauguration was a diplomatic snub.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that no South African president has attended a US inauguration since 1994, and Ramaphosa’s absence should not be viewed negatively.

He was responding to a social media post by Solidarity’s Jaco Kleynhans, who suggested that Ramaphosa’s lack of an invitation to the US presidential inauguration signaled trouble for South Africa under the incoming administration.

Kleynhans had re-shared a tweet from MDN News, which raised concerns about US-South Africa relations, commenting, “The trouble has started.”

According to The Citizen, Magwenya said Ramaphosa is instead attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where South Africa’s G20 presidency was a focus.

Magwenya also said that South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, attended the inauguration on behalf of the country.

Relations between the US and South Africa have remained cordial under President Biden, despite tensions over South Africa’s stance on Russia and Israel.

Magwenya and South Africa’s head of diplomacy, Clayton Monyela, clarified that the US typically does not invite foreign heads of state to presidential inaugurations, citing exceptions in the current ceremony.

“Basic research will show that the USA doesn’t invite Heads of State to inauguration ceremonies. The rationale for the 3 invited by Trump this year is obvious even to the most untrained eye (also a break from tradition),” Monyela said. 

“The view I previously shared regarding Republican Whitehouse incumbents & relations with remains true (backed up by evidence). Your view about what Trump’s 2nd term will mean for Africa is speculative at best. Foreign policy is anchored on the pursuit of national interest. The USA understands strategic importance in relation to their approach to our continent. Trump will be in Johannesburg in November for the G20 Summit.”

Monyela was responding to a post by Rutendo Matinyarare, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement (ZASM), who implied that Trump’s return to the presidency would negatively impact Africa.

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