South Africa’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, says his main focus is to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Pretoria and Washington following his official engagement at the White House.
Meyer formally presented his credentials to US President Donald Trump on Thursday, marking the start of his diplomatic mission in Washington.
Speaking after the meeting, Meyer indicated that rebuilding relations between the two countries would take priority as he settles into his new role representing South Africa in the US.
Roelf Meyer Focuses On Restoring Pretoria-Washington Relations
Meyer said discussions during the White House engagement did not include claims that white Afrikaners are facing genocide in South Africa, adding that it was too soon to address the matter in detail.
He says, “I think we have to take the situation step by step, that issue was not on the table at all today (Thursday). It was not the moment probably to discuss it from either side, but if it is still a matter for consideration on the side of the authorities in the United States.
“We have to get a clear picture of what matters in terms of their concerns and then we can take it further from there, but it’s too early, it’s not the moment yet to comment on that.”
South Africa’s New US Ambassador Avoids Early Comment On Afrikaner Claims
Meyer maintained that his immediate attention would remain on stabilising the broader diplomatic and economic relationship between South Africa and the United States as both nations continue engagements on key issues.
The Times Post understands that Meyer’s appointment comes at a time when relations between Pretoria and Washington remain under close international scrutiny.
