Ramaphosa To Get 'full Report' From Ebrahim Rasool After Us Expulsion
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will get a full report from outgoing South African ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool upon his return to the country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Rasools expulsion from Washington on Friday 14 March, labelling him a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates US President Donald Trump.
This after Rasool said at a webinar that Trump was launching a supremacist assault on incumbency.
Ramaphosa on Ebrahim Raso- b
Speaking to the media at the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Leadership Summit on Monday, Ramaphosa confirmed that Rasool will be coming back soon.
Hes going to give me a full report. So, I will wait for a full report from him. At the same time, we have noted the displeasure expressed by the US, particularly about the remarks he made, the president said.
He added that engagements with the Trump administration are ongoing and will take a variety of forms.
Its going to be through envoys and people from the business community, labour and government. Improving our relationship with the US is a priority for us. They are our second largest trading partner after China and we will therefore seek to ensure that our relations are on a good footing, Ramaphosa said.
The US State Department has given Rasool a formal deadline of Friday, 21 March to leave the country. It will no longer recognise him as a diplomat as from Monday, the same day he loses his diplomatic privileges and immunities.
Ambassador Rasools recent comments regarding the President of the United States were deeply offensive and make it impossible for the United States Government to continue engaging with the Ambassador, the Department said in a diplomatic note to South Africas embassy in Washington.
Over the weekend, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola also confirmed that processes were underway for Rasools return.