WATCH | No Urgency! – Ramaphosa slow to replace expelled US ambassador

Johannesburg

Cape Town — Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has said that President Cyril Ramaphosa is in no rush to replace Ebrahim Rasool’s position as US Ambassador to South Africa.

Rasool was unexpectedly expelled as US ambassador earlier this week after he made negative comments about President Donald Trump’s adminsitration. He was given 72 hours to leave the US and the processes are now underway to find a replacement for him.

Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, Magwenya said that Ramaphosa is looking for a replacement but will take his time to do so. As things stand, it will not affect the relationship between South Africa and the US.

“With respect to the appointment of a new ambassador to the United States, the President is not going to rush the process. In fact, the president appreciates the numerous messages he has received. He has been inundated by people volunteering themselves to be posted in Washington, from people making suggestions of individuals to be considered for Washington,” Magwenya said.

“The president is going to take his time with regard to this appointment. The absence of an ambassador in Washington DC does not mean an absence of engagements with the Trump administration. Equally, just as you have here in South Africa the US has not appointed an ambassador yet, but we have been able at various levels of government to continue to have engagements with diplomats from the US embassy,” he said.

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The government will continue to engage the Trump administration without an ambassador, Magwenya added.

“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,” he added.

According to TimesLIVE, the African National Congress (ANC) will hold a rally to welcome Rasool back to South Africa and the President is expected to engage the party with respect to the envisaged conduct of any form during the rally.

“What we would not like to see is further inflaming the situation and creating more difficulties around what is already a challenging situation.” The President is also expected to get a report from Rasool on his time in the US leading up to his expulsion.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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