U.S. Expels South African Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Rift

U.S. Expels South African Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Rift \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, is no longer welcome, escalating tensions between the two nations. Rubio accused Rasool of race-baiting and anti-Trump rhetoric, citing comments from a recent webinar. The expulsion follows Trump’s executive order cutting U.S. aid to South Africa, citing land reform policies that he and Elon Musk claim discriminate against white landowners. The South African government denies these accusations, calling them misleading and politically motivated.

U.S. Expels South African Ambassador – Quick Looks

• Marco Rubio declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool “persona non grata” in the U.S.
• Rubio accused Rasool of anti-Trump rhetoric and racial divisiveness in a recent webinar.
• The State Department gave no immediate reason for the expulsion.
• Rasool had been South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2010 to 2015 and returned to the post in January.
• Trump recently signed an executive order cutting aid to South Africa, citing land reform laws.
• The South African government denies racial bias in land policies, saying Trump’s claims are distortions.
• Elon Musk has amplified criticisms of South Africa’s Black-led government, alleging discrimination.
• The U.S. rarely expels foreign ambassadors, making this move highly unusual.
• Rasool’s comments on Trump’s “MAGA movement” and Musk’s ties to far-right groups fueled controversy.
• Trump announced a plan to offer Afrikaners refugee status over alleged land seizures.

Deep Look

The Trump administration has taken an unprecedented diplomatic step, expelling South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and further straining relations with the African nation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Friday, calling Rasool a “race-baiting politician” who opposes President Donald Trump. Rubio’s declaration of persona non grata status means Rasool must leave the U.S. immediately, a rare move typically reserved for severe diplomatic disputes.

Rubio’s Announcement and the Lack of Immediate Explanation

Rubio made the announcement while flying back from a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada, posting on X that Rasool was no longer welcome in the United States. The State Department did not immediately provide further details, but Rubio’s post linked to a Breitbart article criticizing Rasool’s remarks during a South African think tank’s webinar earlier that day.

In the webinar, Rasool discussed U.S. demographic shifts and Trump’s policies, describing the MAGA movement as a reaction to the declining white majority in America. He also accused Musk of using far-right rhetoric in Europe to rally support among those who see themselves as part of an “embattled white community.”

Diplomatic Expulsions: A Rare Move with Political Implications

While lower-ranking diplomats are sometimes expelled, it is highly unusual for the U.S. to remove an ambassador. Even at the height of Cold War tensions, neither the U.S. nor Russia expelled their respective ambassadors. The last time Washington took such a drastic step was in response to Russian interference in the 2016 election.

This latest expulsion signals an escalating confrontation between the Trump administration and South Africa’s government.

The Political Context: Trump’s Fight with South Africa Over Land Reform

Rasool’s removal follows Trump’s recent executive order cutting U.S. aid to South Africa, citing concerns over the nation’s new land reform law.

The South African government denies that the policy is racially motivated, arguing it is designed to address historical injustices from the apartheid era. The law allows the government to reclaim unused or underutilized land for redistribution to historically disenfranchised communities.

However, Trump and Musk have portrayed the law as an attack on white landowners, particularly Afrikaners, who descend from Dutch settlers.

“South Africa’s Afrikaners are under threat,” Trump said in a statement announcing the aid cuts.

The South African government pushed back, saying no land had been seized under the law and accusing Trump of spreading misinformation.

Musk’s Role in the U.S.-South Africa Dispute

Elon Musk, who heads Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and was born in South Africa, has been a vocal critic of the country’s Black-led government.

He has frequently posted on X about the land reform issue, claiming it is part of a larger effort to discriminate against white citizens. Earlier this month, he accused South Africa of blocking his Starlink internet service because he “isn’t Black.”

In the webinar, Rasool pointed to Musk’s interactions with far-right European leaders, calling them a “dog whistle” to white nationalist movements worldwide.

These remarks likely fueled the Trump administration’s decision to remove Rasool.

Rasool’s Background and His Return to Diplomacy

Ebrahim Rasool has a long history in South African politics, dating back to the anti-apartheid movement.

As a child, his family was forcibly removed from a Cape Town neighborhood under apartheid laws. He later became an activist and politician in Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC), even spending time in prison for his activism.

Rasool previously served as South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2010 to 2015, before returning to the post in January 2024. His expulsion marks a sudden and dramatic end to his tenure.

What’s Next? Rising U.S.-South Africa Tensions

The U.S. and South Africa have been growing apart diplomatically, with Trump and Musk increasingly hostile toward the country’s leadership.

Trump has announced plans to grant refugee status to South African Afrikaners, further escalating the dispute. The policy would apply to only a portion of South Africa’s white population, but it sends a clear message that Trump sees them as victims of political persecution.

With Rasool’s expulsion, it remains unclear how South Africa will respond. The nation’s leaders have not yet issued an official statement, but they are likely to push back against U.S. intervention in their domestic policies.

As Trump enters his second term, his foreign policy is expected to be more aggressive, particularly against governments that do not align with his administration’s priorities. This latest diplomatic move suggests further tensions ahead between the U.S. and South Africa—with Musk playing an increasingly influential role in shaping the White House’s stance.

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