Washington, D.C. (Agencies): In a rare diplomatic move, the United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him persona non grata. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Friday, accusing Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who harbors animosity toward Americans and President Donald Trump.
Rubio’s announcement, made via a post on X, linked to a Breitbart article referencing Rasool’s recent speech at a South African think tank. In the speech, Rasool criticized the Trump administration’s policies, describing the MAGA movement as a response to demographic shifts in the U.S. and accusing Trump of exporting a supremacist agenda globally.
The expulsion comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria. Trump recently signed an executive order cutting aid to South Africa, citing a controversial land expropriation law that he claims discriminates against white South Africans. The South African government, however, maintains that the law aims to address historical disparities in land ownership.
This diplomatic rift marks a rare instance of the U.S. expelling a foreign ambassador, with the last such case occurring in 2008. The South African government has yet to issue an official response to the expulsion.