South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was expelled from the United States and declared persona non grata after criticizing the MAGA movement, causing a significant diplomatic rift between the two nations.
Quick Takes
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician” and expelled him over comments characterizing the MAGA movement as having a “supremacist instinct”.
- Rasool received a hero’s welcome upon returning to South Africa, with supporters waving Palestinian flags.
- The expulsion comes amid already strained relations due to U.S. cuts in financial aid over South Africa’s land expropriation policies.
- Rasool defended his remarks as “political analysis” rather than personal attacks.
- The diplomatic crisis marks a rare and severe diplomatic action that threatens long-term U.S.-South Africa relations.
Diplomatic Crisis Unfolds as U.S. Expels South African Ambassador
In a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions, the United States government expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him “persona non grata”. The extraordinary measure came after Rasool made controversial remarks during a webinar where he characterized the Make America Great Again movement as responding to a “supremacist instinct” and discussed demographic shifts in the American electorate. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on social media platform X, stating bluntly that Rasool was “no longer welcome in our great country.” This rare diplomatic action represents one of the most serious diplomatic confrontations between the United States and South Africa in recent years.
The expulsion came after Rubio shared a Breitbart article highlighting Rasool’s webinar comments, where the ambassador said, “The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white.” These remarks triggered immediate backlash from the administration, with Rubio calling Rasool “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates Trump,” adding, “We have nothing to discuss with him.”
Former US Ambassador to South Africa, #EbrahimRasool, has expressed no regrets about his actions that ultimately led to his designation as a persona non grata, a status that forced him to return home. His comments come amidst ongoing discussions about the future of US-South… pic.twitter.com/vvjtEubSWR
— newsnote (@newsnoteSA) March 23, 2025
Hero’s Welcome and Defiant Stance
Upon his return to South Africa, Rasool received what many observers called a hero’s welcome. Hundreds of supporters greeted him at Cape Town International Airport, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting “free Palestine.” The show of support demonstrated that many South Africans viewed his expulsion not as a disgrace but as a badge of honor in standing up to American pressure. The display also highlighted South Africa’s continued support for the Palestinian cause, despite American opposition to South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Far from apologizing, Rasool stood firmly by his comments, insisting they were analytical observations about political phenomena rather than personal attacks. “It is not the U.S. of Obama, it is not the U.S. of Clinton, it is a different U.S. and therefore our language must change,” Rasool told reporters. “I would stand by my analysis because we were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government,” said the ambassador. Despite the diplomatic fallout, Rasool emphasized the importance of repairing the relationship with the United States, acknowledging the significant impact this rift could have on bilateral relations.
Deeper Tensions and Future Relations
The ambassador’s expulsion does not exist in isolation but comes against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between the two nations. Tensions were already elevated due to American cuts to financial aid over South Africa’s controversial land expropriation policies. The Expropriation Act, which allows for land seizure without compensation, has been a significant point of contention between Washington and Pretoria. Additionally, Secretary Rubio’s decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg further illustrates the widening rift between the two countries.
The South African government’s response has been measured but defensive. President Ramaphosa’s office described the expulsion as “regrettable” and emphasized South Africa’s desire for a “mutually beneficial relationship” with the United States. However, the expulsion of an ambassador is one of the most severe diplomatic actions a country can take short of breaking diplomatic relations entirely. As both nations navigate this unprecedented crisis, questions remain about how and whether they can rebuild trust and cooperation. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly international relationships can deteriorate when political rhetoric crosses perceived boundaries.
Sources:
Expelled South African ambassador returns home and says will wear US sanction as ‘badge of dignity’
U.S. declares South African ambassador PERSONA NON GRATA
