South Africa is among a growing number of countries taking action against President Trump’s remarks last week that Haiti, El Salvador and African nations are “shithole countries” whose inhabitants are not desirable for U.S. immigration. Lapenn has been serving as acting ambassador since Patrick Gaspard, who had been appointed by President Barack Obama, left last year. “We agree to the importance of strong relations between South Africa and the United States that are based on mutual respect and understanding,” Harvey told the news site. [ Perspective: What did the men with Donald Trump do when he spoke of ‘shithole countries’? ] Ebba Kalondo, a spokeswoman for the African Union, said in a statement last week that Trump’s comments referring to migrants from African countries and others were alarming.

Source: Washington Post January 15, 2018 18:00 UTC