The United States has declared South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio stated on X that Rasool is “no longer welcome” in the US, accusing him of harboring hatred towards the country and President Donald Trump.
Rubio labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician” who “hates America and hates @POTUS.”
This rare expulsion marks a significant escalation in the strained relationship between Washington and Pretoria.
Tensions have been simmering since February when Trump froze US aid to South Africa over a land redistribution law.
Trump further inflamed the situation last week by suggesting South African farmers were welcome in the United States, echoing claims of land confiscation from white individuals.
Rubio’s post on X linked to a Breitbart article detailing Rasool’s remarks at a foreign policy seminar.
According to the report, Rasool suggested that “white supremacism” fueled Trump’s “disrespect” for the global order.
He also reportedly described Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement as a “white supremacist response” to increasing US demographic diversity.
Rasool, a veteran of the anti-apartheid movement, has also voiced strong criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.