Ramaphosa's US trip 'risky' – analyst

Ramaphosa will hold discussions with his US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, talks which political analyst Boitumelo Senokoane has warned could be risky. 

He cautioned that Ramaphosa may face the same kind of public humiliation previously experienced by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky during a trip to Washington.

This will be Ramaphosa’s first official meeting with Trump, and comes amid strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and the U.S. 

These tensions stem from key policy disagreements, including South Africa’s Land Expropriation Act and its stance on international conflicts, especially Israel’s war against Hamas. 

The South African president will be accompanied by four key ministers: Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, and Trade and Competition Minister Parks Tau.

READ MORE: Ramaphosa won't be embarrassed by Trump - Ntshavheni

The meeting also follows the recent departure of 49 white Afrikaners who were granted refugee status in the US by Trump. 

Trump justified the decision by claiming they faced persecution and genocide in South Africa—an allegation that the South African government has firmly rejected.

Senokoane believes that Trump is exploiting both the land reform debate and the refugee issue for personal gain.

“As soon as he (Donald Trump) gets the deal that he wants to achieve, he will argue that he was convinced otherwise. He’s not naïve, he’s not a fool, he knows what’s happening on the ground, he knows the history of South Africa. So, it’s not about the Afrikaners, it’s about him bullying the world,” he said.

According to Senokoane, Trump is using a variety of tactics to extend U.S. influence over global business and politics, all under the banner of his "Make America Great Again" campaign.

Senokoane further emphasised that Ramaphosa must remain firm and not allow South Africa to be manipulated or undermined.

“We can’t be bullied and we should not allowed to be bullied. In fact, I’m of a view that if USA did want anything that has to do with South Africa or its investment, they would have closed the embassy of South Africa. But it's about that—it’s for them muzzling in front of everyone, proving to everyone that they can be able to do certain things but they operate within certain limits,” he explained.

Senokoane added that the US consistently acts in its own self-interest and is only satisfied when its economic and political goals are met.

He also pointed to the upcoming G20 Summit, set to be held in Johannesburg later this year, as another point of leverage in the US’ broader global strategy. 

The Trump administration has threatened to skip the summit unless certain tensions with South Africa are resolved.

However, Senokoane believes the presidential meeting could pave the way for improved relations.

“Depending on the outcome of the meeting with President Trump and Ramaphosa, which I think will be positive, I can tell you that what will happen is that USA will then come back to the party and the expectation will be simple—they will participate in the G20 Summit with one intent: to promote their economic interest and to reclaim their status as the world power, and that’s going to be projected in the G20.”

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