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Rabat – South Africa has expressed regret over the expulsion of its Ambassador to the US but reaffirmed its commitment to “building a mutually beneficial relationship” with Washington despite the diplomatic strain.
Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool’s expulsion followed controversial remarks he made about Donald Trump and US policies, including describing the US President as leading a global white supremacist movement.
South Africa’s presidency issued a statement today calling for “established diplomatic decorum” to be maintained in addressing the situation. This came after US State Secretary Marco Rubio accused Rasool of “race-baiting” and of harboring animosity toward the US and Trump.
“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates Donald Trump. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA,” Rubio said yesterday in a post on X.
In a recent seminar in Johannesburg, Rasool suggested that Trump had exploited “supremacist instincts” and “white victimhood” as part of his campaign strategy for the 2024 elections.
He argued that this movement was also represented by some South African farmers’ grievances in the US.
The ambassador’s expulsion also came in the wake of diplomatic and political tensions, particularly surrounding South Africa’s land policy. Trump had previously criticized the country’s land reform policies and accused the government of allowing land to be seized from white farmers. He also suggested that South African farmers should be welcome to settle in the US.
South African officials said Trump’s claims were misinformed and insisted that the law is meant to address historical injustices from the apartheid era.
