The U.S. has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool in a
dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two countries

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling him a “race-baiting politician” who “hates America and Trump.”

This rare diplomatic move escalates tensions between the nations after the Trump administration cut aid to South Africa and criticized its land expropriation policies. Rasool’s remarks accusing Trump of promoting white supremacy further fueled the fallout.

South Africa called the expulsion “regrettable” but reaffirmed its commitment to U.S. relations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision late Friday on X (formerly Twitter), declaring Rasool “persona non grata” and accusing him of being a “race-baiting politician” who harbors animosity toward America and President Donald Trump.

Rubio’s statement marks a rare move in international diplomacy and reflects the deteriorating relationship between Washington and Pretoria under Trump’s second term. The expulsion follows Rasool’s public criticism of Trump, whom he accused of leading a global white supremacist movement during a recent webinar.

Rubio responded sharply, stating that Rasool’s comments left “nothing to discuss” and that his presence in the U.S. was unwelcome.

The diplomatic fallout comes amid broader tensions over South Africa’s domestic policies and international stances.

Earlier this year, Trump froze financial aid to South Africa, citing its controversial land expropriation law aimed at addressing racial disparities in land ownership. The law has been criticized by Trump and allies like Elon Musk as targeting white Afrikaner farmers unfairly—a claim South Africa denies.

Rasool’s vocal support for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has also drawn ire from Washington. The ambassador has been described as one of Pretoria’s most ardent pro-Palestinian voices, further straining ties with the US, a staunch ally of Israel.

In response to the expulsion, South Africa’s presidency issued a statement calling the decision “regrettable” and urging diplomatic decorum. It emphasized that South Africa remains committed to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States despite current challenges.

This incident underscores the deepening rift between the two nations. Former US Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard described relations as being at their “lowest point,” highlighting the urgent need for repair amid significant geopolitical stakes. Meanwhile, critics argue that Trump’s administration is leveraging racial tensions for political gain domestically and abroad.

As tensions rise, this expulsion signals a precarious moment in US-South Africa relations, with potential repercussions for broader international diplomacy.

#USSouthAfricaRelations, #DiplomaticCrisis,
#TrumpAdministration, #EbrahimRasool, #PersonaNonGrata

Tags: South Africa, United States, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ebrahim Rasool, Diplomacy, International Relations, Land Expropriation, Race Relations