The United States has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool after he publicly criticized President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Rasool was declared persona non grata and is “no longer welcome” in the country. According to Rubio, Rasool is a “race-baiting politician who hates America.”
The decision came shortly after Rasool’s remarks during a recent webinar. In his speech, he talked about demographic changes in the United States. He also criticized Trump’s policies, claiming they encouraged nationalist movements. Furthermore, Rasool argued that influential figures like Trump and Elon Musk have used rhetoric that fuels fears of a threatened white identity.
This incident reflects the ongoing tension between the U.S. and South Africa. One of the biggest issues is South Africa’s new land expropriation law. The law aims to address injustices from the apartheid era. However, Trump strongly criticized it, arguing that it discriminates against the white Afrikaner minority. As a result, he signed an executive order to cut aid to South Africa. Additionally, he offered refugee status to affected Afrikaners.
Moreover, relations between the two countries have faced other challenges. Recently, South Africa took legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Consequently, the U.S. decided to freeze foreign aid to South Africa.
Despite the expulsion, the South African government has expressed regret. Officials emphasized their commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with the U.S. Rasool, who is a former anti-apartheid activist and politician, was serving his second term as ambassador at the time.
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