The United States is expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday, accusing the envoy of hating both the country and President Donald Trump.
“South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio posted on X.
He described Ebrahim Rasool as “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates POTUS,” referring to Trump by his official White House X account.
“We have nothing to discuss with him, and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”
The expulsion marks the latest development in escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
In February, Trump froze US aid to South Africa, citing a law in the country that he alleges permits land seizures from white farmers.
One of Trump’s closest allies, South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, has accused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of enforcing “openly racist ownership laws.”
Land ownership remains a contentious issue in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white people three decades after the end of apartheid. The government faces growing pressure to implement reforms.
During a G20 event in South Africa last month, Ramaphosa said he had a “wonderful” call with Trump soon after the US leader took office in January.
However, he admitted that relations later “seemed to go a little bit off the rails.”
AFP
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