Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him “persona non grata” after alleged anti-Trump and anti-American statements, creating an unusual diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
Key Takeaways
- Secretary Rubio declared Ambassador Rasool “persona non grata,” a rare diplomatic action that effectively expels him from the United States
- Rubio accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who “hates America” and President Trump
- The expulsion follows Trump’s executive order cutting aid to South Africa over a new land law he claims discriminates against white South Africans
- South Africa denies racial motivations behind their Expropriation Act, saying it addresses apartheid-era injustices
- The South African government has expressed regret over the expulsion while committing to maintaining diplomatic relations with the U.S.
Unprecedented Diplomatic Expulsion
In a rare and severe diplomatic move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from the United States. Rubio declared Rasool “persona non grata” in a statement that accused the ambassador of being “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.” The declaration effectively forces Rasool to leave the country immediately, marking an unusual breakdown in diplomatic protocol between the United States and South Africa.
The U.S. rarely takes such drastic measures against foreign ambassadors, highlighting the severity of the situation. Rasool was serving his second term as South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, having previously held the position from 2010 to 2015 during the Obama administration before returning to the role in January 2025. His removal creates a significant void in the diplomatic relationship between the two nations at a time when tensions were already escalating.
South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.
Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.
We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.https://t.co/mnUnwGOQdx
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 14, 2025
Escalating Tensions Over Land Policy
The diplomatic crisis comes in the wake of President Trump’s executive order freezing U.S. assistance to South Africa. Trump cited South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which he claims allows for land seizures targeting white Afrikaners, as justification for cutting aid. The executive order also includes a controversial proposal to offer refugee status to Afrikaners, a white minority group in South Africa, which has further strained relations between the two countries.
South Africa’s government has firmly denied that its land policies are racially motivated, insisting that the Expropriation Act aims to address historical injustices dating back to the apartheid era. South African officials have accused the United States of spreading misinformation regarding their land reform policies. This disagreement over land policy represents a significant point of contention that has contributed to the diplomatic breakdown between the two nations.
Ambassador’s Controversial Comments
At the center of this diplomatic rift are statements made by Ambassador Rasool that drew Secretary Rubio’s ire. Rasool allegedly suggested that President Trump was “mobilising a supremacism” and “projecting white victimhood” amid demographic changes in the United States. Additionally, Rasool reportedly criticized Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a South African-born American businessman, and Vice President JD Vance for their support of certain European political parties.
Rasool, who was forcibly removed from his home during South Africa’s apartheid era, has a history as an anti-apartheid activist. This personal background has shaped his political perspectives and diplomatic approach. Past social media posts attributed to Rasool suggested that Trump “emboldens hate disciples globally,” comments that likely contributed to Rubio’s characterization of the ambassador as being hostile to America and its leadership.
Broader Implications for U.S.-South Africa Relations
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has expressed regret over the expulsion and emphasized South Africa’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations with the United States. The timing of this diplomatic crisis is particularly challenging, as it comes amid other disputes between the two countries, including debates over South Africa’s economic policies and its position on international issues like the conflict in Ukraine.
The unusual step of expelling an ambassador signals a potentially lasting deterioration in relations between these two historically allied nations. With Rasool removed from his post, South Africa will need to appoint a new representative to the United States at a time when clear diplomatic channels are most needed. The future of U.S.-South Africa relations now depends on how both countries navigate this diplomatic breach in the coming weeks and months.
