South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed that the appointment of South Africa’s next ambassador to the United States falls solely under his authority, dismissing calls for broader consultation within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
His statement comes in response to the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has urged that all GNU partners be involved in the selection of ambassadors. The country currently lacks an envoy in Washington following the recent expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa’s (DENOSA) ninth congress in Boksburg on Tuesday, Ramaphosa made it clear that diplomatic appointments remain his exclusive prerogative.
“The president appoints ambassadors, and it is within his sole right to do so,” he said.
Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of selecting a qualified representative for the US, noting that the country is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner. He assured that efforts were underway to finalize a suitable appointment.
Meanwhile, the DA has proposed former party leader Tony Leon as a candidate for the position. However, the presidency has yet to comment on the suggestion.