The U.S. has given South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, until Friday to leave the country after Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared him persona non grata last week. The decision follows remarks Rasool made about U.S. racial demographics and the Trump administration, which Rubio denounced as race-baiting.
Rubio announced the decision on social media while returning from a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada. His post linked to a Breitbart article highlighting a recent webinar in South Africa, where Rasool discussed how U.S. racial shifts might have influenced Trump-era policies. Rubio accused him of being a “race-baiting politician” with an anti-Trump stance.
Shortly after, State Department officials summoned South African embassy staff and formally informed them that Rasool was no longer welcome. His diplomatic privileges and immunity expired on Monday, and he must leave the U.S. by Friday.
The expulsion of an ambassador is a rare and serious diplomatic move that could strain relations between the United States and South Africa. While South African officials have not yet responded publicly, this decision may have long-term implications for diplomatic ties between the two countries.
