US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, is no longer welcome in the United States. In a post on X, Rubio accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” with animosity towards US President Donald Trump. This stance followed a speech Rasool made at a South African think tank’s webinar, where he stated that white supremacism motivates Trump’s disrespect for the world’s current power dynamics.

Rasool, recognized for his diplomatic history and service as South Africa’s ambassador to the US during the Obama administration, has previously called for an investigation into Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, labeling it as genocide. Before Rubio’s statement, news outlets reported that Rasool faced difficulties in arranging essential meetings with US officials due to his controversial advocacy.

The escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and South Africa relates to Trump’s stance on South Africa’s land reforms, which include a law allowing for land expropriation. Trump and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk have criticized the law, alleging it targets minority white farmers. However, South Africa’s government categorically denies the law is racially motivated, framing Trump’s statements as misinformative and influenced by white nationalist perspectives. Almost every country, including the US, has similar expropriation laws for acquiring land for public needs, which includes public infrastructure projects.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/us-expels-south-africa-s-ambassador-saying-he-hates-trump/a-71928971?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf