Rubio expels South African ambassador for supremacist remarks
- Ebrahim Rasool criticized the United States for engaging in supremacist policies in a recent webinar.
- Marco Rubio responded by expelling Rasool and described him as a race-baiting politician.
- The expulsion signifies heightened diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States.
On March 14, 2025, in the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool as persona non grata following controversial comments Rasool made during a webinar. Rasool accused the U.S. of engaging in supremacist policies both domestically and internationally, particularly targeting President Donald Trump's administration. These remarks sparked a strong reaction from Rubio, who characterized Rasool as a 'race-baiting' politician who harbors disdain for America and the president. This incident comes amid heightened tensions regarding the Trump administration's foreign policy, particularly regarding South Africa's land expropriation laws and its stance towards Israel. The tensions between the two nations have been exacerbated by historical grievances and the U.S.'s recent criticisms of South Africa regarding its domestic policies. The expulsion was framed as a necessary step in protecting U.S. interests and asserting that disrespectful comments about the nation and its leaders would not be tolerated. Following this announcement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed regret over Rasool's expulsion and reiterated the country's commitment to a beneficial relationship with the United States, urging stakeholders to maintain diplomacy amidst the controversy.