By Architect of the Capitol - aoc.gov, Public Domain,
The State Department has announced that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, who was designated as “persona non grata” last week, must depart the country by Friday.
Following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination that Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was no longer welcome in the United States, he shared this decision on social media last Friday. Subsequently, staff from the South African embassy were called to the State Department, where they received a formal diplomatic note outlining the rationale behind the decision.
The State Department stated, “We informed the embassy that Ambassador Rasool has been deemed unacceptable by the United States to serve as a representative of his nation.” It further indicated that Rasool’s diplomatic privileges and immunities lapsed on Monday, necessitating his departure from the United States by Friday. It remains unclear whether he is currently in the country.
Rubio made his announcement via a post on X while returning to the United States from a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada, where he characterized Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” who harbors animosity towards President Donald Trump.
His post referenced an article from the conservative news outlet Breitbart regarding a presentation given by Rasool earlier on Friday in Johannesburg, as part of a webinar organized by a South African think tank. During this presentation, Rasool discussed the actions of the Trump administration in relation to a future United States where white individuals may no longer constitute the majority.
Rasool participated via videoconference, and it was unclear whether he was located in South Africa, the United States, or another location.
It is quite rare for the United States to expel a foreign ambassador, although it is more common for lower-ranking diplomats to be designated as persona non grata.
Rubio’s action represents the latest initiative by the Trump administration aimed at South Africa. Last month, Trump issued an executive order that suspended funding to the nation.
The order criticized the Black-led South African government on several grounds, alleging that it is implementing anti-white policies domestically and supporting “bad actors” globally, such as the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran.
A statement from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office last week acknowledged the “regrettable expulsion” of Rasool and urged its diplomatic representatives “to uphold the established diplomatic decorum in their dealings with this issue.” The statement emphasized that “South Africa remains dedicated to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America.”
