WATCH | ‘Diplomatic ties with US remain crucial,’ says Lamola after Rasool’s expulsion

Cape Town – International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has emphasised the need for continued diplomatic engagement with the United States following the expulsion of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Lamola rejected “megaphone and Twitter diplomacy”, stressing that direct dialogue remains crucial as the US is an important trading partner.

“America has expelled our ambassador Ebrahim Rasool… And as a country, we always say that we emphasise more diplomatic channels of engagements. Those ae the most important channels that countries have always worked with.

“But there is a reality that has emerged in the recent past that there is now a different platform of diplomatic engagements. Because of the advent of social media, there is now also a platform of engagements via social media, which is now emerging,” the minister said.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, says the correct diplomatic processes were not followed regarding Ebrahim Rasool’s expulsion. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/mhEYfVdbhB

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He added: “But as South Africa, we continue to maintain the line that the formal lines of communications remain the diplomati channels of engagements and when an ambbassaor has committed something that the host believes is wrong, the first process is to démarche. You call him, you engage him and these processes are well known across the globe how that should unfold… We believe the relationship between America and South Africa remains very strategic.”