The United States has taken the significant step of expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Rasool is “no longer welcome in our great country.” This rare diplomatic action underscores escalating tensions between the two nations.
Accusations of Anti-American Sentiment
In a post shared on X, Rubio accused Rasool of harboring animosity towards America and former President Donald Trump. He labeled Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” and stated, “we have nothing to discuss with him.” The Secretary’s remarks were made in conjunction with a link to an article from the right-wing news outlet Breitbart, which highlighted Rasool’s recent comments during an online lecture.
During the lecture, Rasool critiqued the Trump administration, asserting that “what Donald Trump is launching is an assault on incumbency, those who are in power, by mobilizing a supremacism against the incumbency, at home… and abroad.” He further argued that the MAGA movement is a reaction to demographic shifts in the U.S. voting electorate, which he projected would become 48 percent white.
Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions
Rubio’s declaration that Rasool is “PERSONA NON GRATA” underscores the serious nature of the diplomatic freeze. This announcement came shortly after Rubio’s departure from a meeting with foreign ministers in Canada. The relationship between the U.S. and South Africa has been deteriorating since the onset of Trump’s presidency, exacerbated by an executive order he signed last month. This order halts assistance to South Africa, citing “egregious actions” and “unjust racial discrimination” against white Afrikaners, the descendants of Dutch settlers.
The executive order also highlights a controversial law known as the Expropriation Act, which allegedly allows the South African government to seize private land, raising concerns among Afrikaners. A statement from the White House indicated, “As long as South Africa continues to support bad actors on the world stage and allows violent attacks on innocent disfavored minority farmers, the United States will stop aid and assistance to the country.”
In response to the growing international scrutiny, the South African government has denied any racial motivations behind its land reform policies, according to reports from the Associated Press. The White House maintains that South Africa exhibits blatant discrimination against ethnic minority descendants of settler groups.
Notably, while expelling lower-ranking diplomats is not uncommon, such a move against a senior official like an ambassador is rare in U.S. foreign relations. Historical precedents suggest that even during heightened tensions, such as those seen during the Cold War, both the U.S. and Russia refrained from such extreme actions.
Rasool’s history is intertwined with the political landscape he now navigates. Previously serving as South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2010 to 2015, Rasool returned to this position in 2025. His early life in Cape Town was marked by significant political events, including his family’s forced removal from a designated white area when he was just nine years old. This experience fueled his interest in politics and significantly influenced his future direction.