South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has been declared persona non grata by the US government and given 72 hours to leave the country.
Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, confirmed to News24 that arrangements were underway to expedite Rasool’s return to South Africa.
Upon his return, Rasool will be required to brief Pretoria about the circumstances leading to his expulsion.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision via social media platform X, declaring Rasool “no longer welcome” in the US. The expulsion follows controversial remarks Rasool made during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, where he criticized former US President Donald Trump’s administration for supremacist tendencies.
Phiri described the expulsion as “regrettable,” highlighting that it had disrupted recent positive developments between the two nations. He stressed South Africa’s commitment to maintaining a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.
“Ensuring we have a capable and authoritative replacement for Ambassador Rasool is critical,” Phiri said, underscoring the importance of continued diplomatic engagement between Pretoria and Washington.
Phiri also noted that the US bypassed normal diplomatic channels in deciding to expel Rasool. “Ideally, they should have allowed Ambassador Rasool to clarify the context of his remarks before proceeding,” he said. However, he acknowledged the US’s sovereign right to take the action it chose.
Minister Lamola, speaking to the SABC, expressed disappointment with the US decision, calling it “unprecedented and regrettable.” Lamola emphasized the importance of private diplomatic dialogues over public disputes conducted through social media.
“We must engage face-to-face to resolve mutual concerns,” Lamola said, criticizing the use of social media platforms for diplomatic communication by the Trump administration.
Lamola reaffirmed Pretoria’s determination to continue constructive diplomatic engagement with Washington despite this setback.
