The United States has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated him Persona Non Grata, branding him as a "race-baiting politician". This diplomatic rift follows controversial statements made by Rasool, who alleged U.S. President Donald Trump was "leading a global white supremacist movement." Rubio's declaration came on March 14, 2025, amid rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
Rasool’s comments about Trump were made during a South African think tank’s webinar, where he criticized the Trump administration’s policies and noted demographic shifts within the U.S. electorate. Rubio's charges against him included harboring perceived hostility toward the U.S. and its leadership. He stated, "South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country... We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA," via his post on X.
The South African government expressed disappointment over Rasool's dismissal. Crispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, confirmed they would engage through diplomatic channels to preserve their bilateral relationship with the U.S. He stated, "This development really...comes to make things a little bit more difficult, but nonetheless we do believe...to normalize relations as much as possible."
Rasool, who previously served as ambassador from 2010 to 2015, is known for his vocal support of Palestine and close ties to Hamas. His outspoken critiques of Israel include rejecting its statehood and alleging apartheid conditions against Palestinians. His stance has sparked outrage and led some South African officials to describe him as contributing to tensions with Israel and the U.S.
Many South African politicians have condemned the U.S.’s decision. Opposition parties called on President Cyril Ramaphosa not to be “bullied” by what they described as American imperialism. Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), condemned the U.S., urging Ramaphosa to stand firm against foreign pressure, insisting, "SA is not a puppet of the US, we have the right to govern our country without interference."
The EFF and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) echoed similar sentiments, describing the expulsion as not only offensive but also as undermining South Africa's sovereignty. PAC Secretary General Apa Pooe stated, "This isn’t just about one individual; it’s about our national integrity and the right to stand independently."
Compounding these diplomatic tensions are accusations aimed at both Trump and Elon Musk, who share criticism toward South Africa’s recent land reforms. The controversial law allows the expropriation of land without compensation under specific conditions, which South Africa argues is necessary to rectify historical injustices from the apartheid era. Trump responded to this policy by cutting U.S. foreign aid to the nation last month. His administration has labeled this law as discriminatory against the white Afrikaner community, descendants of colonial settlers.
Rasool’s articulation of his views underscored the wider debate on race and power dynamics within both South Africa and the U.S. He remarked on the demographic projections indicating possible changes to the racial composition of the U.S. electorate, foreseeing the white population dropping to 48%. During his remarks, he warned against antagonizing the U.S., stating, "This is not a moment to antagonise the United States."
The infrequency of such diplomatic expulsions has drawn attention from analysts and observers who noted the rarity of targeting ambassadors. Historically, lower-ranking diplomats are more commonly affected. For example, during the heights of Cold War tensions or responses to foreign actions, neither the U.S. nor Russia expelled embassies' high-ranking officials.
Now with Rasool ousted, the South African government’s position remains complex, reflecting the challenges of balancing internal policy decisions with external pressures. Critics have raised questions about the influence of the African National Congress (ANC)—the leading party on foreign diplomacy—asserting it could lead to inequitable representation of South African interests abroad.
This dismissal stands as the latest episode within the fraught political climate between South Africa and the United States, wherein both nations ponder their respective roles on the global stage. The future of their diplomatic relationship now hangs precariously, as South Africa seeks to navigate the intricacies of global politics framed by socio-historical injustices and contemporary governance issues.
Despite the tensions, South Africa remains steadfastly committed to reinforcing ties where possible, asserting its right to govern without foreign interference and striving for constructive engagement with the international community, including the United States.