Ramaphosa-Trump White House meeting: Africa holds its breath

As the clock ticks towards the make-or-break meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and United States President Donald Trump, an international relations expert says the African continent is watching closely, as the interaction might set the tone for US-Africa relations.

In an interview with IOL, Dr Gideon Chitanga said the engagement, which set down for Wednesday at the Oval Office of the White House, will carry significance for the continent.

“The moment of the meeting, and its context - thinking back to the past five months, is very crucial because South Africa is a very significant player in the continent and probably the most active African country in multilateral context, representing the African voice.

“The power play that Trump has projected is quite telling, in the sense of the manner that he conducts US foreign policy under his administration. The retreat to bilateralism in contrast to multilateralism has also been a very significant feature of the current US administration. For Africa, I think Ramaphosa and South Africa are navigating a very significant, historical moment.

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“The outcome of this bilateral engagement, I think, will be watched by many African leaders including those who believe that a multilateral continental approach would be significant,” he added.

Chitanga said when Ramaphosa and Trump speak about the G20, it will become clear how Africa seeks to engage with Africa.

Earlier, IOL reported that one of South Africa’s richest men, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are reportedly part of  the high-level South African delegation led by Ramaphosa.

According to media reports, Ramaphosa has included the golfers in his arsenal, seeking to appeal to Trump who loves the sport.

Speculation has been rife over the audience Ramaphosa will receive from Trump, following the dressing down given to visiting Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in February.

IOL has previously reported that since his inauguration, Trump has cut aid to South Africa, and has offered South African Afrikaner an opportunity to relocate to the US as refugees. So far, the first batch of 49 Afrikaners has arrived in the US.

US President Donald Trump has made good on his promise to cut funding to South Africa over the government’s land expropriation policy and resettle white farmers, insisting that their land is being expropriated.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News