When former South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool arrived in Cape Town after his expulsion from the United States, he was greeted by sizeable crowds that required a police escort. Rasool seemed content to be back in South Africa despite the circumstances. He viewed his expulsion as a form of recognition rather than a humiliation, stating that the large and warm reception meant he wore his status as persona non grata with dignity. The expulsion, however, marked a low point in relations between Pretoria and Washington, with rare instances of diplomatic expulsions from countries with significant trade relations. The United States, under President Trump, had previously cut funding to South Africa and accused the nation of supporting Palestinian and Iranian groups. South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice further strained relations. Without evidence, Trump accused South Africa of pursuing anti-white policies, leading to nearly 70,000 white South Africans showing interest in relocating to the US.

Rasool, an experienced diplomat and critic of Israel, has been widely dismissed by some as being undiplomatic and detrimental to South African interests in the US. His analysis of the political situation in the US was defensively termed “race-baiting” by US officials, leading to his diplomatic status being revoked. The relationship is further complicated by South African lobby groups in the US that have grievances with South Africa. These include organizations like Afriforum and Solidariteit, as well as the so-called Cape Independence Advocacy Group, which seeks independence for the Western Cape. The situation is critical for South Africa, which is weighed down by its position as G20 president and its reliance on the US as a major trading partner, with American firms employing over 130,000 South Africans. While both Rasool and the South African government have expressed a desire to improve relations with the US, the prospects for reconciliation in the near future appear bleak, and the preferential trade access granted by the AGOA might not be extended beyond 2025.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/us-s-african-ties-hit-new-low-as-ambassador-rasool-expelled/a-72023853?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf