The United States has declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata, effectively barring him from engaging with US officials. This decision, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.
According to Rubio, Rasool is “no longer welcome in our great country” due to his alleged “race-baiting” and hatred towards America and President Donald Trump. Rubio’s statement comes after Rasool accused Trump of mobilizing a “supremacist instinct” and “white victimhood” during the 2024 election.
Rasool’s diplomatic isolation is the latest development in strained US-South Africa relations. South Africa has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza and played a key role in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case accusing Israel of genocide, which the US government opposes.
The ANC-led South African government has faced criticism from Trump allies, including billionaire Elon Musk, for its foreign policy positions and historical ties to the anti-apartheid struggle. Trump’s administration has accused the ANC-led government of discriminating against South Africa’s white population.
In response, Trump cut aid to South Africa and offered expedited US citizenship to white Afrikaners, citing “government-sponsored race-based discrimination.” However, the South African government insists that Trump is misinformed, stating that no land has been confiscated under the law.
The diplomatic rift between the US and South Africa is likely to continue, with Rasool’s persona non grata status marking a significant point of contention.
