Washington Expels South African Ambassador Amid Escalating Tensions
The United States has expelled South Africa's Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him "persona non grata" following accusations of fueling racial tensions and antagonism toward President Trump. This diplomatic fallout highlights deteriorating U.S.-South Africa relations, exacerbated by Trump's policies and Pretoria's controversial actions, signaling potential future confrontations.
hassan benyoub 
Washington, March 15, 2025 – The United States has expelled South Africa’s Ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him “persona non grata” in a move that deepens the rift between the two nations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Friday, accusing Rasool of “hating” President Donald Trump and stoking racial tensions, signaling a sharp escalation in diplomatic hostilities.
Rubio’s Accusation and Expulsion Order
South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.
Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.
We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.https://t.co/mnUnwGOQdx — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 14, 2025
In a post on X, Rubio wrote, “Ebrahim Rasool fuels racial tensions, hates the United States, and hates President Donald Trump,” adding that the diplomat is “no longer welcome in Washington” and is now considered “persona non grata.” The declaration, effective immediately, requires Rasool to leave within 72 hours, per diplomatic norms. Posts on X from March 14, like @SecRubio’s, cite a Breitbart article alleging Rasool labeled Trump a leader of a global white supremacist movement during a Johannesburg seminar—a claim Rubio framed as justification for the expulsion.
Rasool, 62, assumed his post in January 2025, presenting credentials to then-President Joe Biden days before Trump’s inauguration. Having previously served as ambassador from 2010 to 2015 under Barack Obama, Rasool told SABC News on January 14 that rebuilding U.S.-South Africa ties would be “arduous.” His abrupt ouster after less than two months underscores the deteriorating relationship.
South Africa’s Response
South Africa’s presidency issued a restrained statement Saturday, saying it “takes note of the regrettable expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool” but remains “committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with Washington.” Posts on X, such as @aa_french’s, highlight Pretoria’s call for “diplomatic decorum,” suggesting a desire to de-escalate despite the provocation.
A Context of Mounting Friction
The expulsion aligns with broader U.S. grievances against South Africa since Trump’s January return to power. Trump has accused Pretoria of “unjustly” treating descendants of European settlers, freezing all U.S. aid in February over a controversial land expropriation law. Signed in late 2024, the legislation allows seizure of unused white-owned farmland, prompting Trump to establish an asylum pathway for “Afrikaner refugees” fleeing what he calls “government-encouraged racial discrimination.” Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump ally, has echoed these claims, accusing Pretoria of anti-white bias—a narrative amplified on X by users like @elonmusk.
Another flashpoint is South Africa’s 2023 genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has irked Washington amid its staunch support for Tel Aviv. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a February address, lamented that ties with Trump “seemed to derail” after an initial call, a sentiment he hoped to mend with a planned U.S. visit now in jeopardy.
Trump’s Broader Policy Shadow
The move dovetails with Trump’s aggressive stance on 43 countries flagged for travel restrictions, reported by The New York Times Friday, including red-tier nations like Somalia and yellow-tier candidates facing compliance deadlines. South Africa’s absence from that list suggests Rasool’s expulsion is a targeted reprisal rather than part of a blanket policy. Posts on X speculate Rubio’s decision—backed by Trump—reflects personal animus, with @JeanEricBranaa noting Musk’s influence over Trump’s South Africa fixation.
What’s Next?
As of 10:17 AM PDT today, Rasool’s departure logistics remain unclear, with no comment from the State Department or South African embassy. The expulsion risks further chilling U.S.-South Africa ties, already strained by trade threats and Pretoria’s ICJ stance. With Rubio’s hardline diplomacy and Trump’s Afrikaner focus, this diplomatic rupture could signal more confrontations ahead, testing Pretoria’s resolve to maintain constructive engagement.
