Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
15 November 2024 | 12:26 CAT
3-minute read

Ebrahim Rasool, who served as South Africa’s ambassador to the US under Obama’s administration, will be returning to Washington as ambassador for the second Trump presidency. His return, which has been hailed as a proud moment for Muslim South Africans, will be focused on repairing South Africa’s relationship with the states.

Born in the 70s in District Six, Rasool’s involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle began during his high school years and included leadership in the United Democratic Front. During the apartheid era, he was detained without trial for 16 months and banned and restricted for 18 months from 1985-88. During his time in prison, he pursued Quranic studies and in 1984, Rasool was involved in founding the Call of Islam, an organisation committed to drawing Muslims into the political struggle.

In this week’s ASRI Report, Dr Imraan Buccus, senior research associate at ASRI, acknowledged Rasool as a seasoned and skilled diplomat well-suited for the appointment to repair tense ties with the US.

The context within which Rasool will return to office as ambassador to the US under the “Trump 2.0” administration differs from his previous tenure during the Obama era. South Africa’s foreign policy on Palestine, Russia and China has strained its relationship with the US.

“South Africa and the US have had a trying relationship in the recent past. The US was upset by South Africa’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice. The whole Lady R fiasco about allegations that South Africa was supplying weapons to Russia…” Dr Buccus said, and added, “Our relationship with Russia and China unsettled the US.”

Trump’s administration is marked by right-wing, pro-Israel appointments and a transactional approach to diplomacy. Trump treats his role as president like a business, and Rasool will need to navigate this with a pragmatic approach.

While Rasool will have his work cut out for him, many analysts remain confident that he will do well in his role.

Analysts believe that South Africa’s foreign policy is deeply misunderstood, particularly in the global north, as anti-west, pro-Russia and pro-China. However, South Africa values collaboration and fostering international ties with all global players.

“No doubt South Africa has a commitment to South-South solidarity,” Dr Buccus explained. “But at the same time, South Africa is genuinely committed to non-alignment; to working with all of the major powers, including the US, and South Africa understands we live in a multipolar world,” he added.

While many South Africans hold the view that the government should break all ties with the United States for its intolerable support for Israel, the nature of international relations requires that countries must act in their national interest.

With over 70% of all South African exports to the US in the form of manufactured goods, the US plays an important role in our country’s employment.

“There are thousands of US companies in SA, and hundreds of thousands of people benefit from employment linked to that US investment, as opposed to China, where simply raw materials go to China. South Africa is reliant on the US in terms of trade [and] job creation” Dr Buccus said.

The renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), critical to South African trade, hangs in the balance under the Trump administration. This underscores the importance of a pragmatic approach to maintaining the US as a key partner while ensuring South Africa retains its independence in foreign policy.

Rasool’s return also highlights South Africa’s unwavering support for Palestine, a cornerstone of its foreign policy. While many Middle Eastern countries have faltered in their solidarity, South Africa has upheld its anti-imperialist stance. However, as Dr Buccus noted, this is a “practical anti-imperialism” that balances advocacy with the need to engage major powers like the US.

Listen to the ASRI Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.