MBABANE:President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested formations, including the African National Congress (ANC), that wish to welcome expelled South African Ambassador to the United States (US) Ebrahim Rasool, to avoid inflaming the current tense relations between the two countries, the South African Broadcasting Corporation(SABC) reported on Thursday.
Rasool is expected to return to the country in a few days’ time after the US authorities declared him persona non grata for the comments he made about President Donald Trump at a Foreign Policy webinar.
Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya briefed the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
“He is not asking them to stop welcoming Ambassador Rasool but he is saying please, you know, be considerate of what he is trying to manage at the moment and be considerate about what is at stake with regards to the country’s economy with respect to doing our level best to retain that strategic partnership with the US and hopefully even be able to engage in a revised trade framework,” he said.
Mangweya says the President is willing to address issues that the Donald Trump administration may have.
”The President is concerned with the current state of relations with the United States.The President is on record saying that he will lead the intensification of engagement between ourselves and the various levels of the Trump administration to iron out whatever issues there are. There seems to be a number of issues that are of concern from Washington and the President is keen to have those issues addressed,” said the Presidential Spokesperson.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appeals for restraint amid calls for expelled South African Ambassador Rasool hero’s welcome, says conduct must not worsen deteriorating relations with United States(pic: The Presidency video).