South Africa has appointed Mcebisi Jonas as its special envoy to the United States, aiming to ease tensions between the two countries that have worsened since Donald Trump’s return as president.
Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, will be entrusted with advancing South Africa’s diplomatic, trade, and bilateral priorities in the US.
He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships, and engage with US government officials and private-sector leaders to promote South Africa’s interests.
This move comes after the US expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, over remarks he made about the Trump administration.
Jonas has previously served as one of South Africa’s four investment envoys and made headlines for accusing the Gupta family of offering him a bribe to become finance minister.
The tensions between the US and South Africa have escalated under Trump’s presidency, with the US cutting off aid to South Africa, citing the country’s Expropriation Law, which allows the government to confiscate land without compensation in certain circumstances.
Trump has also condemned South Africa for taking Israel to the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide in the Gaza Strip. With Jonas at the helm, South Africa aims to navigate these challenges and strengthen its relationship with the US.
