“We are not being blue-ticked” South Africa Denies Claims of Being Ignored by the United States

The South African government has strongly refuted claims that the United States is neglecting the country amid ongoing diplomatic tensions. The government reassured the public that it remains actively engaged in efforts to resolve these strains and strengthen bilateral ties with the US.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations have been rocky since the re-election of former US President Donald Trump. Tensions escalated following Trump’s executive order targeting South Africa’s government, compounded by the recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool. This expulsion has sparked widespread controversy, considering Rasool’s prominent diplomatic role and the long-standing relationship between the countries.

“We are not being blue-ticked,” – President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasises that engagements with the White House continue amid strained diplomatic ties. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/hjS9HWY5r4

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 17, 2025

During a discussion at the Bana Pele leadership summit in Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the situation and stressed that South Africa has not been sidelined in its diplomatic relations with the US. He confirmed that the government has been continuously engaging with the US and that the situation is being handled through active diplomatic channels.

“We are not being blue-ticked. We are engaging… We are not being ignored. We are continuing to engage with them,” Ramaphosa stated.

The president emphasized that South Africa’s diplomatic efforts are progressing, with significant achievements being made in addressing the challenges in the bilateral relationship. “A great deal of progress has been made by our ambassador in straightening out the path to ensure meaningful engagement at a diplomatic level,” he added.

The diplomatic strains have sparked broader concerns, especially after political groups like the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and the minority group AfriForum met with senior officials from the Trump administration. These visits raised questions about the lack of direct engagement between the US and the South African government.

Ramaphosa rejected the notion that South Africa had been sidelined in favor of these external groups, reaffirming the importance of the country in both political and economic contexts. “We cannot be blue-ticked because we are such an important player to the United States of America, as they are an important player to South Africa politically and economically,” he asserted.

In a move to further stabilize relations, Ramaphosa revealed plans to send a high-level delegation to the United States to address the diplomatic rift and work towards restoring the productive engagement that has historically characterized US-South Africa relations. “We are working on improving relations, and we are determined to ensure that the bilateral relationship between South Africa and the United States continues to grow in the right direction,” Ramaphosa concluded.

The strained relationship between the two countries has attracted international attention, especially in light of the unpredictable and controversial foreign policies of the Trump administration.

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