South African President Cyril Ramaphosa now says that his administration is currently engaging the Unites States of America following the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.
Speaking to journalists after his address at the Bana Pele 2030 Roadmap Leadership Summit, Ramaphosa said some good progress has been made in ensuring discussions at the diplomatic level.
He described the expulsion as just a ‘hiccup’ that will be resolved in no time.
“We are not being ignored, we are continuing to engage with them and as it is now, a great deal of progress had been made by our ambassador in straightening out the path to ensure there is meaningful engagement at a diplomatic level. This is just a hiccup that we are working on straightening,” The South African president said.
He went on to say that South Africa and the US are equally important to each other and therefore cannot ignore one another.
His response followed a question from a journalist who asked if the US was ignoring South Africa since the communication was first made public on social media.
Ramaphosa insisted that it was not the case.
“We cannot be blue ticked (ignored) because we are such an important player to the United States of America as they are an important player to South Africa from a political point of view, trade, and a whole number of other important points.
“They have sent a message to inform us about the action they took, that shows that they have formalised the communication. We will engage the USA in a formal way, with deep respect and for President Trump as well.”
The South African President assured citizens that his administration is working round the clock to ensure the relationship with the US is fixed.
“I would like the people of South Africa not to have sleepless nights knowing that we are working on ensuring this relationship is put on good footing.”
Rasool was declared an unwelcome person after US State Secretary Marco Rubio called him a "race-baiting politician who hates America" on Friday.
Tensions between South African and the US have been on a downward spiral since US President Donald Trump came into office.
Last month, Trump cut aid to South Africa. He alleged there was discrimination against the white Afrikaner minority, descendants of Dutch and French settlers.
South Africa denies this.
Rasool previously served as US ambassador from 2010 to 2015, when Barack Obama was president.
