South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to formally congratulate Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th US President, sparking curiosity given the prompt responses from numerous other world leaders.
- UPDATE: About 22 minutes after this article was published, President Ramaphosa formally congratulated incoming President Donald Trump in a tweet.
Story Summary:
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has not yet congratulated Donald Trump on his re-election, in contrast with numerous other world leaders.
- South Africa’s cautious stance may stem from recent tensions with the US, particularly concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict and American legislative scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign policy.
- Despite these strains, South Africa and the US maintain significant trade and diplomatic partnerships, though Ramaphosa’s delayed response could hint at ongoing differences.
President Ramaphosa yet to recognise Donald Trump re-election
While President Ramaphosa has remained silent, his administration has expressed criticisms of recent US foreign policy positions, especially concerning Israel and Gaza.
This stance has introduced a potential layer of diplomatic tension between South Africa and the United States.
Since the announcement of Trump’s victory, several international leaders, including those from Canada, the United Kingdom, and India, have publicly congratulated Trump on his second term.
European leaders, notably from Germany and France, have extended diplomatic congratulations, signalling continued cooperation on economic and security matters.
However, South Africa has yet to join this chorus, adding to speculation around Ramaphosa’s absence.
South Africa’s recent engagements with the US indicate an underlying complexity.
Former foreign minister Naledi Pandor, earlier this year, exposed the perceived double standards in how the US interacts with South Africa compared to other non-aligned nations.
Specifically, Pandor pointed to the US response to South Africa’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict as potentially contributing to strained relations.
Ramaphosa’s relationship with Donald Trump
South Africa’s stance under the African National Congress (ANC) has often aligned with policies critiquing Western interference in Middle Eastern affairs, including opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
This stance contrasts with Trump’s Middle Eastern policies, which include strong support for Israel.
South Africa’s recent moves, such as backing a genocide charge against Israel at the International Court of Justice, have further exposed the ideological divide between the countries.
The ongoing discussions in the US Congress regarding the “South Africa Bill,” which questions Pretoria’s political alliances, also indicate Washington’s scrutiny of South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy, which may be influencing Ramaphosa’s hesitance to engage directly with the US.
Despite these tensions, both nations maintain significant economic and diplomatic ties.
The US is South Africa’s top trading partner outside of Africa, and the two countries collaborate on health, climate initiatives, and trade under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), from which South Africa benefits.
However, some in Washington have signalled impatience with South Africa’s non-aligned stance on global conflicts, particularly concerning Russia and China, which has added pressure to an already complex diplomatic relationship.
