Marco Rubio Declares South Africa’s Ambassador to the US "No Longer Welcome"

Marco Rubio Declares South Africa’s Ambassador to the US "No Longer Welcome"

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has effectively expelled South Africa's Ambassador to Washington, accusing Ebrahim Rasool of harboring animosity toward the United States and former President Donald Trump.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Rubio declared, "South Africa’s ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country." He described Rasool as "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS," referring to Trump by his White House handle, adding that "We have nothing to discuss with him, and so he is considered persona non grata."

Although neither Rubio nor the State Department provided immediate clarification, Rubio linked to a Breitbart article covering Rasool’s remarks in a webinar earlier on Friday. The ambassador discussed the Trump administration’s policies, suggesting they were part of a broader racial narrative in the U.S. where white people are projected to become a minority. Rasool also criticized Elon Musk's associations with far-right groups, calling it a "dog whistle" for a global movement of self-identified "embattled white communities."

Rasool, a former anti-apartheid activist who served prison time for his role in the movement, went on to become a prominent member of South Africa’s African National Congress, the party led by Nelson Mandela.

Expelling an ambassador is an extremely rare diplomatic step by the U.S., though lower-ranking diplomats are sometimes declared persona non grata. In response, South Africa’s presidency expressed disappointment over the decision and urged both sides to adhere to diplomatic decorum.

This expulsion comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and South Africa. In February, Trump froze U.S. aid to South Africa, accusing the country of allowing the seizure of land from white farmers. Trump further escalated the situation last week, inviting South African farmers seeking refuge to the U.S. with a path to citizenship.

Trump’s close ally, South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, has also voiced criticism of South Africa’s government, accusing it of having "openly racist ownership laws."

Despite the country's transition away from apartheid over 30 years ago, South Africa remains deeply unequal, with land and wealth predominantly controlled by the white minority. While white South Africans make up just 7% of the population, many in the group claim to face discrimination, often citing affirmative action policies designed to address past inequities.

The diplomatic rupture comes amid strained relations between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Trump. While Ramaphosa previously praised Trump for his support during his first year in office, tensions have since intensified.

During Rasool’s webinar on Friday, he criticized the U.S. for its increasing focus on white supremacy and demographic shifts, referencing the political power of movements like MAGA. He said these shifts reflect a growing concern over changes in the electorate's racial makeup, which is expected to see whites comprise 48% of the voting population.

With contributions from Agence France-Presse and Associated Press

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