South Africa Appoints New U.S. Envoy After Trump Expulsion, False Land Seizure Claims

April 28, 2025

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States to repair diplomatic relations that have deteriorated under Donald Trump's administration. Tensions escalated following the expulsion of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, who was declared "persona non grata" after his comments during a webinar were misrepresented by right-wing media. The situation worsened when Trump cut U.S. aid to South Africa, making false claims about white farmers being targeted, while tech billionaire Elon Musk amplified similar misinformation regarding South Africa's governance.

Who is affected

South African government and diplomatic corps
South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool (expelled ambassador)
White South African minority (subject of false claims)
Black South Africans (whose land reform initiatives are being mischaracterized)
U.S.-South Africa diplomatic relations
South African recipients of U.S. aid (now cut)

What action is being taken

President Cyril Ramaphosa is appointing Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the United States
The Trump administration is cutting U.S. aid to South Africa
Trump is discouraging U.S. participation in the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg
Trump and Musk are promoting false narratives about white South Africans being victimized

Why it matters

The diplomatic relationship between the United States and South Africa has been damaged
False narratives about South Africa's treatment of white farmers and land reform initiatives are being spread at the highest levels of U.S. government
U.S. aid to South Africa has been cut, affecting assistance programs
The situation mirrors historical patterns of misinformation used to justify racist policies
The controversy reflects broader tensions around racial politics in both countries
The U.S. participation in the G20 summit in Johannesburg is being threatened

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer