In a significant diplomatic escalation, Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, announced that South Africa's Ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, is "no longer welcome" in America. This unusual expulsion underscores the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.
Rubio, in a post on social media platform X, accused Rasool of harboring anti-American sentiments and labeled him a "race-baiting politician," declaring that there was no point in discussions with him. This tension traces back to a lecture Rasool gave, which Rubio linked in his comments, where the ambassador criticized the Trump administration.
In his remarks, Rasool expressed concern over what he perceived as a rise of "supremacism" led by Trump, particularly in light of demographic changes in the U.S. that could affect voting patterns. In retaliation, Rubio cited the ambassador's remarks as justification for his expulsion and referred to him as a "PERSONA NON GRATA."
The embassies of both nations have been locked in discord in recent months, especially following Trump’s executive order that halted U.S. aid to South Africa, which he cited as a response to "egregious actions" against white Afrikaners stemming from the Expropriation Act that permits land seizure without compensation.
While South African officials maintain that their law is non-discriminatory, the U.S. claims it discriminates against ethnic minorities and that violent acts against farmers are prevalent. Historically, expelling high-level diplomats like ambassadors is uncommon, highlighting the unique nature of this diplomatic rupture.
Rasool, a seasoned diplomat, previously served in Washington from 2010 to 2015 and returned to the post in 2025. His personal history, marked by early life experiences of forced displacement due to apartheid policies, shapes his political engagement and perspectives.
Rubio, in a post on social media platform X, accused Rasool of harboring anti-American sentiments and labeled him a "race-baiting politician," declaring that there was no point in discussions with him. This tension traces back to a lecture Rasool gave, which Rubio linked in his comments, where the ambassador criticized the Trump administration.
In his remarks, Rasool expressed concern over what he perceived as a rise of "supremacism" led by Trump, particularly in light of demographic changes in the U.S. that could affect voting patterns. In retaliation, Rubio cited the ambassador's remarks as justification for his expulsion and referred to him as a "PERSONA NON GRATA."
The embassies of both nations have been locked in discord in recent months, especially following Trump’s executive order that halted U.S. aid to South Africa, which he cited as a response to "egregious actions" against white Afrikaners stemming from the Expropriation Act that permits land seizure without compensation.
While South African officials maintain that their law is non-discriminatory, the U.S. claims it discriminates against ethnic minorities and that violent acts against farmers are prevalent. Historically, expelling high-level diplomats like ambassadors is uncommon, highlighting the unique nature of this diplomatic rupture.
Rasool, a seasoned diplomat, previously served in Washington from 2010 to 2015 and returned to the post in 2025. His personal history, marked by early life experiences of forced displacement due to apartheid policies, shapes his political engagement and perspectives.
