The Trump administration has ordered South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool to leave the U.S. by Friday after declaring him persona non grata. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Rasool as a controversial figure. This rare diplomatic expulsion follows broader criticisms of South Africa’s policies by the Trump administration.
The Trump administration has formally ordered South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool to leave the United States by Friday. This declaration of “persona non grata” was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who communicated the decision via social media following a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada. The State Department informed the embassy staff about Rasool being deemed unacceptable as a representative of South Africa.
Ambassador Rasool’s diplomatic privileges were reported to have expired on Monday, compelling his departure by the specified deadline. His current location remains unclear, making it uncertain if he is still in the U.S. or has returned to South Africa.
Rubio criticized Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” opposed to President Donald Trump, linking to a Breitbart report covering Rasool’s recent remarks during a webinar. Rasool discussed demographic changes in the U.S. concerning white populations, which Rubio evidently found controversial.
Historically, expelling a foreign ambassador is rare for the United States; such measures typically affect lower-level diplomats. Rubio’s announcement comes in conjunction with recent actions by the Trump administration against South Africa, including an executive order that suspended funding to the country and accused its government of anti-white policies.
In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office expressed disappointment over Rasool’s expulsion, urging diplomatic officials to uphold decorum as they navigate this situation while maintaining commitment towards a beneficial U.S.-South Africa relationship.
In summary, South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has been ordered to leave the U.S. by Friday following his designation as persona non grata by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This rare expulsion aligns with broader critiques from the Trump administration regarding South Africa’s policies and actions. The South African government expressed regret over the situation while reiterating its desire to foster positive bilateral relations with the United States.
Original Source: apnews.com
