Stop trying to run Cyril

PRESIDENCY: STEENHUISEN ACCUSED OF MICROMANAGEMENT AS HE CALLS PUTIN NO ALLY OF SA

- Eric Naki

The Presidency has accused DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen of trying to micromanage the government of National Unity (GNU) and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said although the DA retained the right to maintain their individual foreign policy position, the party could not impose that position on the president under the guise of the GNU.

“Their statement is an attempt to micromanage the president, which will not be allowed regardless of the importance and the respect the president att aches to the GNU.

“He will not be micromanaged by the DA, or any party for that matter, in the exercise and management of foreign policy,” Magwenya said Magwenya was responding to Steenhuisen’s statement in which he distanced the DA from Ramaphosa’s recent statement during bilateral engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ramaphosa reportedly said “Russia is a valuable ally and friend.”

The president is currently attending the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia, where the economic bloc of developing countries was expected to make a resolution about the “de-dollarisation” of international trade.

It meant they would boycott the US dollar and trade in their local currencies among themselves.