Ramaphosa Turns to Veteran Negotiator Roelf Meyer to Reset Strained US Ties

Former Defence Minister Roelf Meyer is South Africa’s new ambassador to the United States.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

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JOHANNESBURG_ – President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed veteran negotiator and former Defence Minister Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s new ambassador to the United States, signalling a decisive move to stabilise diplomatic relations after months of turbulence.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed Meyer’s appointment on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, ending a diplomatic vacancy that has persisted since Ebrahim Rasool was declared persona non grata by Washington on 14 March 2025.

Meyer, 78, is best known as the National Party’s chief representative during the 1993 CODESA talks that ended apartheid. Seated across the table from him was Ramaphosa, then the ANC’s chief negotiator.

The two forged a working relationship that helped steer South Africa through its transition to democracy. 

Meyer later served as Minister of Constitutional Development and then Minister of Defence in Nelson Mandela’s Government of National Unity before leaving active politics.

“I can confirm that President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Roelf Meyer as South Africa's Ambassador to the U.S.,” Magwenya told Reuters on Tuesday.

The ambassador’s post in Washington has been vacant for over a year following Rasool’s expulsion after he criticised the administration of US President Donald Trump. In April 2025, Ramaphosa named former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to manage bilateral, trade, and diplomatic priorities.

However, the US government denied Jonas a diplomatic visa and rejected his credentials, citing remarks he made in 2020 in which he reportedly described Trump as a “racist”, “homophobe”, and “narcissistic right-winger”.

The standoff left Pretoria without top-level representation in a key strategic capital at a time of tension over trade, AGOA renewal, and foreign policy alignment.

By turning to Meyer, Ramaphosa has chosen a figure with cross-party credibility, international negotiation experience, and no recent public entanglement in US domestic politics. Analysts say the appointment prioritises pragmatic diplomacy over partisan signalling.

“President Ramaphosa has gone for a tested hand who understands how to negotiate under pressure and build trust across deep divides,” said a senior DIRCO official. “Meyer knows Washington, and Washington knows the role he played in building the democratic South Africa.”

Meyer’s mandate will include repairing bilateral channels, safeguarding trade access under AGOA, and managing Pretoria’s positions on global conflicts that have strained relations with the US Congress and White House.

The appointment is expected to be welcomed by business and diplomatic circles concerned about South Africa’s access to US markets and investment flows.

Meyer has not yet commented publicly on his appointment. His credentials will now be transmitted to Washington for agrément.

The Azanian will monitor the situation and provide updates as they develop.