Marc Rubio's rare move reflects deepening discord in diplomatic relations between Washington and Pretoria.
South Africa's Ambassador to the US Declared "Persona Non Grata" by Rubio
South Africa's Ambassador to the US Declared "Persona Non Grata" by Rubio
Tensions escalate as U.S. expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool for controversial remarks.
In a surprising diplomatic move, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that South Africa's ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, has been declared "persona non grata," meaning he is no longer welcome in the country. Rubio made the announcement through a post on X, where he accused Rasool of harboring a disdain for both America and former President Donald Trump. The secretary labeled Rasool as a "race-baiting politician" and remarked, "we have nothing to discuss with him."
This action escalates an ongoing diplomatic rift between the United States and South Africa. The U.S. State Department has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the situation, but it highlights growing tensions that have evolved since Trump's administration began. Rubio's remarks were in response to statements made by Rasool during an online lecture, where he critiqued the Trump administration's politics, stating that the MAGA movement signifies a rise in "supremacism" in America and revealed concerns about demographic changes affecting the U.S. electorate.
In his social media post, Rubio referred to Rasool as "unwelcome," a term often used in diplomatic contexts to signify the expulsion of foreign officials. This incident occurs against the backdrop of a recent executive order from President Trump that suspends U.S. assistance to South Africa, citing "egregious actions" and "unjust racial discrimination" against white Afrikaners. This order points to specific laws like the Expropriation Act, which has been contentious for allegedly targeting Afrikaners.
The South African government has denied claims that its legislation is racially motivated amid these accusations from the U.S. While routine expulsions of lower-ranked diplomats can occur, the removal of an ambassador is a rare and significant development in international relations. Ebrahim Rasool previously held the ambassador role from 2010 to 2015 and was reassigned in 2021, marking a noteworthy point in his career given his personal history of being forcibly removed from a residence during apartheid in Cape Town.
This action escalates an ongoing diplomatic rift between the United States and South Africa. The U.S. State Department has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the situation, but it highlights growing tensions that have evolved since Trump's administration began. Rubio's remarks were in response to statements made by Rasool during an online lecture, where he critiqued the Trump administration's politics, stating that the MAGA movement signifies a rise in "supremacism" in America and revealed concerns about demographic changes affecting the U.S. electorate.
In his social media post, Rubio referred to Rasool as "unwelcome," a term often used in diplomatic contexts to signify the expulsion of foreign officials. This incident occurs against the backdrop of a recent executive order from President Trump that suspends U.S. assistance to South Africa, citing "egregious actions" and "unjust racial discrimination" against white Afrikaners. This order points to specific laws like the Expropriation Act, which has been contentious for allegedly targeting Afrikaners.
The South African government has denied claims that its legislation is racially motivated amid these accusations from the U.S. While routine expulsions of lower-ranked diplomats can occur, the removal of an ambassador is a rare and significant development in international relations. Ebrahim Rasool previously held the ambassador role from 2010 to 2015 and was reassigned in 2021, marking a noteworthy point in his career given his personal history of being forcibly removed from a residence during apartheid in Cape Town.
