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The United States has expelled South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool following remarks he made about President Donald Trump, which Washington deemed “unacceptable.”
Tensions between the two nations have escalated after Trump cut US financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
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The situation reached a breaking point after right-wing media outlet Breitbart published an article quoting Rasool as saying that Trump was leading a white supremacist movement.
US State Department: ‘A Standard of Respect is Expected’
On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Rasool’s expulsion, calling him a “race-baiting politician” who despises Trump.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reinforced this stance, stating, “These remarks were unacceptable to the United States, not just to the president, but to every American.”
Bruce emphasized the need for diplomacy, adding, “At the very least, what we should expect is a standard of some respect — basic, low-level respect — if you’re in a position that is going to help facilitate any kind of diplomatic relationship with another country.”
Rasool’s diplomatic privileges expired on Monday, and he has been ordered to leave the US by Friday.
South Africa Calls Expulsion ‘Regrettable’
South Africa’s government responded by calling Rasool’s removal “regrettable”, but reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations with the US. The South African embassy in Washington has not issued an official comment.
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Bruce also revealed that the Trump administration is conducting a serious review of its South Africa policy, citing concerns over:
- South Africa’s land expropriation laws
- Its deepening ties with Russia and Iran
- Its “aggressive positions” against the US and its allies, including Israel
Trump has previously claimed—without citing evidence—that South Africa is confiscating land and treating “certain classes of people” unfairly. However, President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended land reform as a necessary step to address historical racial inequalities, emphasising that no land has been confiscated.
With Rasool’s expulsion and diplomatic relations under review, the rift between South Africa and the US appears to be widening.
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