Tensions Escalate as US Expels South African Ambassador

The United States has expelled Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool amid escalating tensions related to racial policies in South Africa. Secretary of State Rubio claims Rasool "hates America" after controversial comments he made about Trump's administration.

The United States has officially expelled South Africa's ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio declaring him "no longer welcome in our great country." Rubio made this statement on X, alleging that Rasool harbors animosity towards both America and President Donald Trump. He went on to label the ambassador a "race-baiting politician," asserting that there is "nothing to discuss" with him.

This extraordinary action comes amidst growing strains in diplomatic relations between the two nations. BBC News has reached out to the South African embassy for comment regarding this diplomatic incident. Rubio's comments were in response to Rasool's remarks from a recent online lecture, where he criticized Trump’s administration as "launching an assault on incumbency." Rasool attributed Trump's political maneuvering to a demographic shift in the United States, suggesting that the voting electorate is projected to be 48 percent white.

Rubio subsequently branded Rasool as "PERSONA NON GRATA," alluding to the Latin term for "unwelcome person." This announcement was made shortly after Rubio's departure from Canada, where he attended a meeting with foreign ministers. Since Trump took office, relations between the US and South Africa have rapidly declined. Last month, Trump signed an executive order that froze aid to South Africa, citing "egregious actions" and "unjust racial discrimination" targeting white Afrikaners in the country.

The executive order highlighted South Africa's Expropriation Act, which allows the government to confiscate private land, a concern primarily affecting Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers. The White House stated, "As long as South Africa continues to support bad actors on the world stage and allows violent attacks on innocent disfavored minority farmers, the United States will stop aid and assistance to the country." However, South Africa’s government refutes claims that the law is racially motivated. Reports from the Associated Press also noted that while expulsions of lower-ranking diplomats are somewhat common, it is unusual for a senior official like an ambassador to be ousted, contrasting current US-Russia relations during the Cold War.

Rasool previously served in this role from 2010 to 2015 and returned to the post in 2025. His childhood experience of being forcibly evicted from a white-only apartment in Cape Town greatly influenced his political aspirations.