Summary
South Africa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a former apartheid-era minister, as its new ambassador to the United States to improve diplomatic relations. This follows a period of tension between the two countries, including the expulsion of the previous ambassador after disputes with President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
- Roelf Meyer, 78, is South Africa’s new ambassador to the US.
- Meyer was involved in negotiations during apartheid and is part of the white Afrikaner community.
- South Africa’s previous ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled in March last year after accusing President Trump of leading a white supremacist movement.
- Relations have been strained since President Trump criticized South Africa’s affirmative action policies meant to address racial inequality.
- Trump has made false claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa and offered fast-track US citizenship to white Afrikaners citing discrimination.
- South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its ties with Iran caused further tensions with the US.
- Billionaire Elon Musk criticized South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment laws, which aim to increase Black ownership in companies.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa said Meyer is qualified to help reset South Africa-US relations and engage with multiple stakeholders.
