The United States has formally expelled South Africa ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, amid worsening diplomatic tensions between the two nations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the decision on Friday, describing Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” and a vocal critic of both America and President Donald Trump.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have grown increasingly strained since Trump halted U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing opposition to the country’s land reform policies and its recent genocide case at the International Court of Justice targeting Israel, a close U.S. ally.
“South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio posted on the social platform X. “We have nothing to discuss with him. He is hereby declared persona non grata.”
Rubio’s remarks followed his repost of a Breitbart article quoting Rasool, who reportedly said on Friday that Trump was leading a white supremacist movement.
In response, the South African presidency issued a statement on Saturday expressing regret over Rasool’s expulsion but reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a constructive, mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.
Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, stated via X that Pretoria would address the issue through formal diplomatic channels.
According to a report from news site Semafor, Rasool has faced obstacles in securing routine meetings with key officials at the U.S. State Department and leading Republican lawmakers since Trump took office in January. Citing a South African diplomat, the report noted that Rasool’s pro-Palestinian stance and outspoken criticism of Israel likely contributed to his diplomatic isolation.
The U.S. State Department has not yet issued an official comment on the matter.
Diplomatic Tensions Escalate
Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard described the current state of bilateral ties as being at their “lowest point,” warning that the situation demands urgent efforts to repair the relationship.
Rasool began his second term as ambassador by presenting his credentials to then-President Joe Biden on January 13—just one week before Trump returned to office, as stated on the South African embassy’s website.
Trump has previously accused South Africa—without providing evidence—of seizing land and mistreating specific groups within the population. His claims echoed statements made by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, a close Trump ally, who alleged that white South Africans have been subjected to “racist ownership laws.”
In January, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a controversial bill into law aimed at facilitating land expropriation in the public interest, including, in some cases, without compensation. Ramaphosa has defended the legislation, saying it targets deep-rooted racial inequalities in land ownership and asserting that no land has been confiscated under the policy thus far.
