WASHINGTON:
The United States has declared South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata, effectively expelling him from the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Friday, accusing the envoy of harboring animosity toward the United States and its president, Donald Trump.
“South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio stated in a post on X. He described Rasool as “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates POTUS,” using Trump’s official White House X account handle. “We have nothing to discuss with him, and therefore he is considered persona non grata,” Rubio added.
The expulsion of a foreign ambassador is an exceptionally rare action by the United States, highlighting the escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
This development follows Trump’s decision in February to suspend U.S. aid to South Africa. The move was reportedly in response to a South African law that Trump claims permits the seizure of land from white farmers, a policy that has sparked significant controversy and debate.
