South Africa has expressed its commitment to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States. The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, declared Ebrahim Rasool, the South African ambassador, as "persona non grata" in response to the diplomat's previous criticisms of Donald Trump.
In a public statement, Rasool accused the President of the United States of leading a global white supremacist movement and of breaking diplomatic norms. Trump signed an executive order in February cutting financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and allegations regarding the agricultural property of Afrikaners.
The decision to expel Rasool is also related to the South African denunciation of Israel for "genocide" in the Gaza Strip. Marco Rubio described Rasool as a "politician inciting racial conflict" and considered him a persona non grata due to his hatred towards the United States and President Trump.
The expulsion of the South African ambassador has caused tensions between the two countries, which have already existed since the Biden administration. Trump and Elon Musk have alleged discrimination against white farmers in South Africa, while the South African government defends its land reform policies as necessary to remedy the legacy of Apartheid.
South Africa lamented the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool and has urged for diplomatic decorum in this matter. The South African presidency indicated that it would take note of this "unfortunate expulsion" and hopes that all stakeholders will maintain the respect established in diplomatic relations.
