U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South Africa's Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, as "persona non grata," effectively expelling him from the country.
The expulsion followed Rasool's remarks during a webinar, where he discussed demographic shifts in the U.S. and criticized the Trump administration's policies.
This incident underscores escalating tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, particularly concerning South Africa's new land expropriation law.
Elon Musk, a South African native and advisor to President Trump, has criticized South Africa's land policies, labeling them as "blatantly racist."
The South African government expressed regret over Rasool's expulsion, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.
Ebrahim Rasool, an anti-apartheid activist and former politician, was serving his second term as ambassador to the U.S. He previously held the position from 2010 to 2015 before returning in January 2025.
Expelling an ambassador is a rare and significant diplomatic action. While lower-ranking diplomats are occasionally expelled, declaring an ambassador persona non grata indicates severe diplomatic strains.
Like and Share
Also Comment