A Display of Power, Not Partnership, in Washington

US President Donald Trump (3rd L) participates in a multilateral lunch with visiting African Leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)

This is a is a long overdue column that I intended to write back in March after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa left Washington after that now infamous joint press conference in the Oval Office where he was ambushed by U.S. President Donald Trump for challenging the narrative of his host.

What I didn’t say back then, I have to say now after Wednesday’s embarrassing luncheon in the White House’s State Dining Room with Trump and five visiting leaders from West Africa: decorum matters, especially in diplomacy.

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by Christian Geraud Neema Byamungu

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