Appointment of a permanent ambassador to US imminent - Lamola

CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said a decision was imminent on appointing an ambassador to the United States.

Despite the president’s special envoy, Mcebisi Jonas, not having travelled to the United States, Lamola said it’s not a permanent job and there’s no intention to replace him.

At a briefing on Wednesday, Lamola said despite months of tensions with the US government, there were still regular interactions between government officials.

ALSO READ: SA-US relations remain resilient - Lamola

Minister Lamola said that government was still actively working on trying to reduce hefty trade tariffs introduced by the United States.

While he has not confirmed that the president’s trade envoy Mcebisi Jonas was denied entry to the US, Lamola said that Jonas continued to do the work required of him.

"Yes, it’s correct that he has not been to the US at this stage, but he has been doing some work. He was at the G7 with the president. He’s also engaged with various stakeholders on the approach and also the issues in the background."

Lamola said that an ambassadorial appointment was also not far off.

This follows the abrupt expulsion of former ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, in March, who was forced to leave the United States within days after comments he made during a webinar.

"What we are currently considering and almost at an advanced stage, is the appointment of a permanent ambassador, that will be done soon."

Lamola said that a US congressional foreign affairs delegation would be visiting the country this week.