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US to Expel South African Envoy as Tensions Rise
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that South Africa's ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, has been declared persona non grata, signaling a sharp decline in relations between the two nations.
In a post on X, Rubio stated that Rasool was “no longer welcome” in the U.S., accusing the ambassador of being a “race-baiting politician” who harbors animosity toward America and President Joe Biden.
South Africa’s embassy in Washington has yet to respond to the expulsion.
The diplomatic tensions follow a series of disputes, including a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump that suspended aid to South Africa. The order cited concerns over South Africa’s land expropriation law, which Trump claimed could lead to the forced seizure of white-owned farms. Trump also invited South African farmers to settle in the U.S.
In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his government’s actions, stating that the country's constitution mandates measures to address the legacy of racial discrimination. He also expressed concern over the misrepresentation of South Africa's policies and laws following the executive order.