posted 14th March 2025
US Expels South Africa’s Ambassador Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions
The United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday. Rubio accused the envoy of harbouring deep-seated animosity towards America and President Donald Trump, declaring him “persona non grata” in a fiery statement posted on X.
“South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio wrote. He branded Rasool a “race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS,” referring to Trump by his official White House X handle. “We have nothing to discuss with him,” Rubio added, effectively severing diplomatic ties with the ambassador.
The move marks the latest chapter in a deteriorating relationship between Washington and Pretoria, which has been strained by a series of political and ideological clashes. In February, President Trump froze US aid to South Africa, pointing to a controversial law that he claims permits the seizure of land from white farmers. The issue of land ownership remains a powder keg in South Africa, where most farmland is still held by white individuals more than 30 years after the end of apartheid, despite growing calls for reform from the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Trump’s decision has been bolstered by one of his closest allies, South African-born billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who has become an influential voice in US politics, has repeatedly criticised Ramaphosa’s administration, accusing it of enforcing “openly racist ownership laws” that discriminate against white South Africans.
The expulsion of Rasool also comes amid speculation that the US is displeased with South Africa’s stance on the ongoing Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas. Pretoria has been vocal in its criticism of Israel’s military actions, a position that may have further fuelled Washington’s ire.
Despite the mounting friction, Ramaphosa struck a conciliatory tone last month during a G20 event hosted in South Africa. He described a phone call with Trump, shortly after the US president’s inauguration in January, as “wonderful.” However, Friday’s developments suggest that any goodwill from that exchange has evaporated.
Rasool, a seasoned diplomat and former anti-apartheid activist, has yet to respond publicly to the expulsion order. South Africa’s foreign ministry has also remained silent on the matter, leaving observers to speculate about Pretoria’s next move.
The expulsion underscores the unpredictable nature of US foreign policy under Trump’s leadership, as well as the growing influence of figures like Musk in shaping Washington’s international stance. For South Africa, it represents a significant diplomatic blow at a time when the nation is grappling with domestic challenges and seeking to assert its role on the global stage.
