The United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio declaring him “no longer welcome in our great country.”
In a post on X, Rubio accused Rasool of harbouring anti-American and anti-Trump sentiments, describing him as a “race-baiting politician.”
South Africa’s presidency called the decision “regrettable” in a statement on Saturday, reaffirming the country’s commitment to maintaining a constructive relationship with the US despite growing diplomatic friction.
The move comes as relations between the two nations continue to deteriorate.
Rubio’s statement was accompanied by a link to an article from the right-wing outlet Breitbart, which cited Rasool’s recent comments in an online lecture.
During the discussion, Rasool argued that former President Donald Trump had mobilized a supremacist movement to challenge political incumbency both domestically and internationally.
He also highlighted demographic shifts in the US, suggesting that Trump’s MAGA movement was a reaction to projections that white voters would soon make up less than half of the electorate.
In response, Rubio labelled Rasool persona non grata, a diplomatic term meaning “unwelcome person.” The announcement was made as Rubio wrapped up a visit to Canada for a meeting with foreign ministers.
Tensions between Washington and Pretoria have been escalating since Trump’s return to office.
Last month, the US president signed an executive order freezing assistance to South Africa, citing what he called “egregious actions” by the government, including “unjust racial discrimination” against white Afrikaners—descendants of Dutch settlers. South African officials have repeatedly denied these accusations.
The order also references the newly enacted Expropriation Act, which US officials claim unfairly targets Afrikaners by allowing the government to seize private land.
“As long as South Africa continues to support bad actors on the world stage and permits violent attacks on innocent disfavored minority farmers, the United States will halt aid and assistance to the country,” the White House said in a statement.
The South African government insists that the law is not racially motivated, according to a report from the Associated Press.
While lower-level diplomats are occasionally expelled, removing a foreign ambassador is a rare step in US diplomacy.
The Associated Press noted that even during the Cold War, Washington and Moscow refrained from taking such actions against one another’s top envoys.
Rasool previously served as South Africa’s ambassador to the US from 2010 to 2015 before being reappointed in 2025.
Born and raised in Cape Town, Rasool has spoken about how his family was forcibly evicted from their home when he was nine years old due to apartheid-era policies designating certain areas for white residents only.
He has described the experience as a defining moment that shaped his political views.