Rubio declares South African ambassador ‘persona non grata’

On March 14th, US Senator Marco Rubio declared South Africa’s ambassador to the US “persona non grata,” a move that has raised questions due to the lack of a clear explanation.

Rubio accused Ebrahim Rasool of opposing Donald Trump and labelled him a “race-baiting politician,” who is “no longer welcome” in the country, as reported by the Associated Press.

The decision is an unusual diplomatic action, as expulsions are typically reserved for lower-ranking diplomats.

Even during tense periods like the Cold War or Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, ambassador expulsions did not occur.

This latest controversy comes amid ongoing criticism from Trump and Elon Musk regarding South Africa’s land reform law, which they argue discriminates against white people.

Rasool, who resumed his post in January after serving as ambassador from 2010 to 2015, has yet to respond directly to the expulsion.

South African officials expressed regret over the move, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining positive US-South Africa relations despite the setback.

In a statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office described the expulsion as “regrettable” and called for diplomatic decorum in handling the matter.

Rasool had previously spoken out on the Trump administration’s policies, criticising the “supremacist assault” he sees in US domestic politics, particularly in the MAGA movement.

However, he stressed that this was not the moment to antagonise the US, urging caution in relations.

This comes after Trump signed an executive order cutting aid and assistance to the black-led South African government, according to AP News.

The order claims that South Africa’s Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch colonial settlers, are being targeted by a new land expropriation law.

The law allows the government to seize private land, which Trump argues discriminates against white South Africans.

However, the South African government has strongly denied that the law is racially motivated, calling these claims misinformation and distortions.

Trump has also announced his plan to offer Afrikaners refugee status in the US.

The lack of clarity surrounding the South Africa’s ambassador expulsion and status as ‘persona non grata’ raises concerns about its broader diplomatic implications, potentially straining ties between the US and South Africa amid heightened global tensions.

Associated Press.