GNU cracks over US envoy choice

RELATIONS: LOBBYING FOR LEON SPARKS POLICY DEBATE

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

A mid a call by the DA for its former leader and former diplomat Tony Leon to replace Ebrahim Rasool as SA ambassador to US, experts believe South Africa has two parallel foreign policies — one run by the ANC and another by the DA.

But, they said, the ANC could not have its cake and eat it. It should compromise and not have full and unfettered control over foreign policy in the light of changing foreign relation dynamics.

Political economy analyst Daniel Silke said the ANC was focused on maintaining total control and to present its view as de facto, or prevailing South African view, on international relations.

But the government of national unity (GNU) parties, particularly the DA, were fighting hard for a compromise on how SA presented its foreign policy.

"After all, if there is a compromise on domestic policy issues, there should be compromise on foreign policy issues," Silke said.

International relations analyst and lecturer at the North-West University Dominic Maphaka said Leon's diplomatic experience and his ideological proximity to Washington made him the most suitable candidate for the position.