Here’s why a diplomat says Ramaphosa, Trump must focus on solutions, not past tensions

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – Former South African ambassador to Portugal and international relations expert, Dr Kingsley Makhubela, says the upcoming meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump is a crucial chance to repair strained relations between the two countries.

Ramaphosa announced via social media this week that he and Trump had a phone conversation, agreeing to meet soon to address bilateral issues and strengthen ties.

“I spoke to President Donald Trump to discuss the peace process in Ukraine,” Ramaphosa said on social media.

The leaders had “agreed that the war should be brought to an end as soon as possible to stop further unnecessary deaths,” he said.

“We both agreed to meet soon to address various matters regarding US-South Africa relations.”

Ties between Pretoria and Washington took a nosedive after Trump came to power this year.

He has criticised various South African domestic and international policies, including Pretoria’s case at the International Court of Justice on Israel’s war in Gaza.

The tensions culminated in the expulsion of Pretoria’s ambassador last month.

Trump has also cut financial aid over what he alleged was an anti-white land policy and offered refugee settlement to the white Afrikaner minority that he has claimed is being persecuted.

In his social media post, Ramaphosa said he and Trump had agreed on “the need to foster good relations between our two countries.”

Speaking during an interview with Newzroom Afrika on Saturday, Makhubela said that the meeting should focus on clarifying misconceptions and finding solutions, rather than revisiting past tensions, particularly over Trump’s past comments alleging genocide in South Africa.

“I think those will be issues around how to best restart the relations that have been really bruised in the recent past by comments that have been made by president Trump and the United States around the question of genocide going on in South Africa.

“I think it’s to clarify those issues, and I think to really refocus on areas of common interest that really exist between the two countries. I think that will be the focus.

Article written by