The recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Rasool was “no longer welcome” in the country, labeling him a “race-baiting politician who hates America.” This decision has been met with divided opinions both locally and internationally.
Rasool, a veteran of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, was known for his forthright views. His remarks during a recent webinar organized by a South African think tank ignited controversy. Speaking on US politics and its impact on Africa, Rasool accused President Donald Trump of “mobilizing a supremacism” and “projecting white victimhood as a dog whistle.” These statements followed US pressure on South Africa over a contentious land law, which Washington claimed unfairly targeted the white minority a charge Pretoria has consistently denied.
The reaction from the US administration was swift. Rubio’s condemnation was echoed by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch, who called Rasool’s comments “disgraceful.” In contrast, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa termed the expulsion “regrettable,” highlighting the progress Rasool had made in diplomatic relations before his removal. However, unnamed officials within Ramaphosa’s government acknowledged that Rasool had “crossed a line that diplomats know they shouldn’t cross.”
Rasool, who previously served as South Africa’s envoy to the US from 2010 to 2015 during Barack Obama’s presidency, expressed no regrets. In a message to family and friends, he stated he and his family were “all packed up and looking forward to returning to South Africa.”
Some analysts believe Rasool’s expulsion was politically motivated. His strong advocacy for Palestine, along with South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, may have played a role. Political expert Dr. Oscar van Heerden argued that “knives were out for Rasool before he even arrived in Washington.”
As South Africa moves to appoint a replacement, questions remain over whether any envoy can successfully navigate the complexities of US-South Africa relations under the Trump administration.
