U.S. Orders Expulsion of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool

The Trump administration has ordered South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool to leave the U.S. by Friday after he was declared “persona non grata” by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This decision stems from Rasool’s alleged derogatory comments about President Trump and reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and South Africa under the Trump administration.

The United States State Department has mandated that Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador, must leave the country by Friday after being declared “persona non grata.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this decision through social media, indicating that Rasool is no longer welcomed as a representative of South Africa in the U.S. This announcement was made public following a formal diplomatic note provided to the South African embassy staff at the State Department.

The State Department clarified that Rasool’s diplomatic privileges and immunities had expired, requiring him to depart by the specified deadline. It remains uncertain whether Rasool is currently in the United States or abroad, as he had been speaking via videoconference during a webinar in Johannesburg.

Rubio accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” with an aversion to then-President Trump, stating his remarks during the webinar, which addressed demographic changes in the United States. The expulsion of a foreign ambassador is an uncommon act for the U.S., with such designations typically applied to lower-ranking diplomats.

This decision aligns with previous actions by the Trump administration regarding South Africa, including an executive order issued last month that halted U.S. funding to the country due to its criticism of the Black-led government. The executive order condemned purported anti-white policies. Following the announcement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office expressed disappointment over Rasool’s expulsion but reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations with the United States.

In summary, the U.S. State Department has ordered South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool to leave the country by Friday after declaring him “persona non grata.” The decision was publicly announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and represents a significant diplomatic action, which is rare for ambassadors. This recent development is part of broader tensions between the Trump administration and South African officials.

Original Source: www.newsday.com