Mbalula declares “mission accomplished” in US-SA diplomatic talks

By Akani Nkuna

African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has hailed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent engagement with the US president Donald Trump as a success and praised him for his keeping his cool.

Mbalula said Ramaphosa maintained a clear focus and composed demeanor throughout his engagement with Trump, who continuously made false claims of white genocide during a public engagement in the White House.

“I think we may want to characterise yesterday as mission accomplished, because many things have been said about South Africa. It took the head of state to go to the White House to sit down with President Donald Trump and put the record straight,” said Mbalula said on Thursday.

He said the talks would foster diplomacy and reduce the chances of the US making unfounded accusations against South Africa.

Both nations now shared clarity on the origins of false claims such as white genocide, Mbalula said.