By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Democrats’ victory over Republicans in the US midterm elections could open a new chapter in relations between Pretoria and Washington.
Ramaphosa said on Wednesday that the election result could create an opportunity to ease tensions between the two countries, which have disagreed over several policy and trade issues.
“I do think that this group is going to introduce a new era in world relations,” he told reporters after voting in South Africa’s local government elections.
He said both countries could find common ground on geopolitical issues, trade and investment.
“We’re hoping that on a bilateral basis, there will be a coming together of minds where we will find a proper path forward on geopolitics as well as on trade matters and investment matters,” he said.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in recent months, with the United States removing South Africa from a trade deal that offers eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the US market.
