US expels South African ambassador, saying he ‘hates’ Trump
Trump has cut US financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and of its World Court genocide case against Israel
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday declared Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the US, persona non grata, calling the envoy a “race-baiting politician” who hates America and US President Donald Trump.
“South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio said in a post on social media.
“We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA,” Rubio said.
Rasool had presented his credentials to former US president Joe Biden on January 13, marking the start of the envoy’s tenure, according to the South African embassy’s website, which said this was Rasool’s second stint in Washington.
The US State Department and South Africa’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Ties between the United States and South Africa have deteriorated since Trump cut US financial aid to the country, citing disapproval of its land policy and of its genocide case at the International Court of Justice against Washington’s ally Israel.