The United States has taken the rare step of expelling South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, after accusing him of “hating” America and President Donald Trump.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Rasool is “no longer welcome” in the US, citing his criticism of Trump’s policies. Rubio described Rasool as “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.”
In response, the South African presidency expressed regret over the expulsion, urging “all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum” in their engagement with the matter.
The expulsion marks the latest development in rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria. Trump had previously frozen US aid to South Africa, citing a law that he alleges allows land to be seized from white farmers.
South Africa’s presidency maintains that the country remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the US. However, the issue of land ownership remains contentious, with most farmland still owned by white people three decades after the end of apartheid.
Rasool, an anti-apartheid campaigner in his youth, has expressed criticism of Trump’s policies and the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza. His remarks were cited by Rubio as evidence of his alleged hatred for America and Trump.