In a rare diplomatic move, the United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Rasool “no longer welcome” in the US, accusing him of “hating America” and labeling him a “race-baiting politician.”
The expulsion follows controversial comments made by Rasool during an online lecture, where he criticized former President Donald Trump’s administration and the MAGA movement.
Rubio’s post on X (formerly Twitter) linked to an article from the right-wing Breitbart, quoting Rasool’s remarks on racial shifts in the US and the Trump administration’s approach to “supremacism.”
In response, the US Secretary of State referred to Rasool as “PERSONA NON GRATA,” a term meaning “unwelcome person.”
South Africa’s government called the expulsion “regrettable,” reaffirming its commitment to a mutually beneficial relationship with the US.
This diplomatic fallout is part of ongoing tensions between the two countries, exacerbated by Trump’s controversial policies, including a freeze on aid to South Africa over claims of racial discrimination and land expropriation laws targeting Afrikaners.
Rasool, who previously served as South Africa’s ambassador from 2010 to 2015, is known for his activism on racial justice and his personal history of forced eviction under apartheid.
The situation marks a significant escalation in US-South Africa relations.
