- The U.S. declared South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata expelling him after his inflammatory remarks at a seminar in Johannesburg, where he accused U.S. President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement of promoting "white supremacy."
- The expulsion marks a significant deterioration in U.S.-South Africa relations, exacerbated by earlier U.S. cuts to financial aid over South Africa's controversial land expropriation policies, which critics argue unfairly target white farmers.
- Rasool's comments were deemed unacceptable by U.S. officials, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that his "race-baiting" and anti-American rhetoric crossed a line, making further dialogue impossible.
- The expulsion reflects growing tensions, highlighted by Rubio's decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, signaling the U.S. will not engage with nations promoting divisive policies or tolerating anti-American rhetoric.
- The incident underscores broader challenges in the bilateral relationship, raising questions about whether South Africa will take steps to repair ties or continue policies that alienate the U.S., a key ally.
In a bold and decisive move, the U.S. has declared South Africa's ambassador Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata – effectively expelling him from the country.
The March 14 announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marks a significant escalation in the already strained relations between the two nations. It comes after Rasool's inflammatory remarks at a foreign policy seminar in Johannesburg, where he accused U.S. President Donald Trump of leading a "white supremacist" movement and claimed the Make America Great Again (MAGA) ideology was rooted in racial supremacy.
"South Africa's ambassador to the U.S. is no longer welcome in our great country," Rubio stated on X. "Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates [Trump]. We have nothing to discuss with him."
The designation "persona non grata" – Latin for "unwelcome person" – is a rare and severe diplomatic action typically reserved for foreign officials whose conduct is deemed unacceptable by the host country. In this case, Rubio made it clear that Rasool's comments crossed a line.
Rasool's remarks, delivered at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), were not only inflammatory but also deeply offensive to the millions of Americans who support Trump and the MAGA movement. By labeling the U.S. president and his supporters as "white supremacists," Rasool not only mischaracterized a movement rooted in patriotism and economic revitalization but also revealed his own bias against the United States and its leadership.
This expulsion is the latest chapter in a deteriorating relationship between Washington and Pretoria. Tensions have been mounting since Trump cut financial aid to South Africa earlier this year, citing concerns over the country's controversial land expropriation policies. (Related: Trump confirms funding cuts to South Africa, offers CITIZENSHIP to Afrikaner farmers whose lands were seized.)
The Expropriation Act, signed into law by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in January, allows the government to seize land – often from White farmers – without compensation. While Ramaphosa insists the policy is aimed at addressing historical racial disparities in land ownership, critics argue it unfairly targets a specific group and undermines property rights.
Washington takes a stand against anti-American rhetoric
Rubio's decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg further underscores the growing rift. The summit scheduled for November was seen as an opportunity for dialogue. However, the secretary's absence sends a clear message: the U.S. will not engage with nations that promote divisive policies or tolerate anti-American rhetoric.
Meanwhile, Pretoria's response to the expulsion has been predictably defensive. Ramaphosa's office called the move "regrettable" on March 15 and reiterated its commitment to maintaining a "mutually beneficial relationship" with the United States.
However, actions speak louder than words. Rasool's tenure as ambassador has been marked by a lack of engagement with key U.S. officials, particularly Republicans.
The expulsion of a senior diplomat like Rasool is highly-unusual, even in times of strained relations. During the Cold War, for example, neither the U.S. nor Russia took such drastic measures against each other's ambassadors. This move signals that the Trump administration is willing to take a hardline approach to defend American values and sovereignty.
Watch this clip of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing his plan to cut aid to South Africa, something he made good on.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
South African minister calls for MINERAL BOYCOTT in response to U.S. aid cuts.
Trump signs executive order CUTTING AID to South Africa over land seizures.
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