The United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, citing his alleged hostility toward the country and President Donald Trump. The decision was announced on Friday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who declared Rasool “no longer welcome” in the US.
“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS,” Rubio posted on X, referring to Trump’s White House account. “We have nothing to discuss with him, and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.” The expulsion is an extraordinary diplomatic move, as it is rare for senior foreign envoys to be removed in this manner. Even during the Cold War, the US and Russia avoided such steps against each other’s ambassadors.
Tensions Over Land Reform and Israel
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have been deteriorating since Trump returned to office in January. In February, he froze US aid to South Africa, citing concerns over a controversial land reform law. The Expropriation Act, which allows the government to seize land in the public interest, has been framed by Trump and his allies as targeting white South African farmers.
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“Elon Musk, one of Trump’s closest allies and head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has accused South Africa’s government of implementing ‘racist ownership laws,’” noted a White House statement. The South African government, however, has denied that the law is race-based. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office called the expulsion of Rasool “regrettable” but reaffirmed its commitment to a “mutually beneficial relationship” with the US.
Another significant point of contention between the two countries is South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Trump and his administration have strongly opposed the case, viewing it as an attack on Israel.
Rasool’s Criticism of Trump
Rasool’s expulsion came shortly after he participated in a webinar where he criticized Trump’s political movement. According to a report by Breitbart, Rasool argued that Trump is leading a “white supremacist” campaign.
“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,” Rasool said. He also referenced demographic shifts in the US, stating that data projects the white voting electorate will decline to 48%. These remarks, according to Rubio, played a role in the decision to expel Rasool.
South Africa’s Response
Following the expulsion, Rasool was reportedly excluded from meetings with top US officials. South African diplomats suggested his pro-Palestinian stance and criticisms of Israel also contributed to his removal.
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Former US ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard warned that the US-South Africa relationship had reached its “lowest point.” “There’s too much at stake to not work towards the repair of this partnership,” he told Reuters.