The United States is effectively expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing the envoy of harboring antipathy toward the country and its President, Donald Trump. In a statement posted on social media, Rubio declared that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome. He branded the diplomat, Ebrahim Rasool, as a politician exploiting race issues who despises America and its president. Consequently, Rasool is deemed persona non grata, with no further discussions expected.

Rubio’s declaration was linked to Rasool’s participation in a webinar hosted by a South African think tank, where the ambassador critiqued the Trump administration’s policies within the context of a future U.S. demographic where white individuals would no longer constitute a majority. Rasool also drew parallels between Elon Musk’s engagements with far-right European figures and a wider global movement aimed at rallying an “embattled white community.”

An anti-apartheid campaigner who once served prison time for his activism, Rasool has a background in politics as a member of the African National Congress, the party of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first post-apartheid president. The expulsion of an ambassador by the U.S. is uncommon, though lower-ranking diplomats are occasionally designated as persona non grata.

This recent decision signals escalating tensions between the United States and Pretoria. Earlier this year, President Trump suspended U.S. aid to South Africa, citing legislation in that country which he claims enables the seizure of land from white farmers. Last week, Trump exacerbated tensions by offering American citizenship to South African farmers, contending that the government there was expropriating land from white individuals. This stance is supported by South African billionaire Elon Musk, who is one of Trump’s closest allies and has also accused South Africa’s presidency of having “openly racist ownership laws.”

South Africa, historically ruled by white Afrikaner leaders during apartheid, continues to grapple with stark economic inequalities, with land and wealth predominantly owned by the white minority, which accounts for only 7% of the population. Despite this concentration, some white South Africans argue they face prejudice, often pointing to the country’s affirmative action policies.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/15/south-africa-ambassador-us-no-longer-welcome-marco-rubio-ebrahim-rasool