Marco Rubio has declared that South Africa's ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome, accusing him of harboring animosity towards the US and former President Donald Trump. The US has decided to expel Ebrahim Rasool, with Rubio labeling him as a "race-baiting politician" who dislikes America and Trump. Rubio made this announcement on X, stating that there is no longer any dialogue to be had with Rasool, who is now considered persona non grata.
While neither Rubio nor the State Department provided detailed reasons for this decision, Rubio referenced a Breitbart article about a recent webinar where Rasool discussed the Trump administration's policies in the context of a changing demographic landscape in the US. Rasool criticized Elon Musk's engagement with far-right European figures, describing it as a signal to those who feel part of a threatened white community.
Rasool, a former anti-apartheid activist and African National Congress politician, is expected to leave by March 21, according to a State Department spokesperson. The expulsion of an ambassador is a rare occurrence for the US, though lower-ranking diplomats are more commonly declared persona non grata.
South Africa's presidency expressed regret over the expulsion and called for adherence to diplomatic norms. This move marks another chapter in the growing tensions between the US and South Africa. Earlier this year, Trump halted US aid to South Africa, citing a law he claims permits the seizure of land from white farmers. He also invited South African farmers to the US, offering them a swift path to citizenship.
Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump and a South African native, has criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa's government for what he perceives as discriminatory ownership laws. South Africa, once under apartheid rule, remains deeply unequal, with wealth and land predominantly in the hands of the white minority, who constitute 7% of the population. Some white South Africans argue they face discrimination, often pointing to affirmative action policies.
Last month, during a G20 event, Ramaphosa mentioned a positive initial conversation with Trump, though relations later deteriorated. In the recent webinar, Rasool discussed the Trump administration's stance on diversity and immigration, noting demographic changes in the US that project a future where the white voting electorate will make up 48% of the population.