In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool “persona non grata” on March 14, 2025, effectively expelling him from the United States. Rubio announced the decision via a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician who hates America and hates President Donald Trump” .
The expulsion followed Rasool’s remarks during a webinar hosted by a South African think tank, where he criticized the Trump administration’s policies and discussed demographic changes in the U.S. He suggested that movements like “Make America Great Again” were responses to the anticipated shift toward a majority-minority population in the United States .
The South African government expressed regret over the expulsion. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office released a statement emphasizing the importance of maintaining diplomatic decorum and reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States .
This incident marks a further deterioration in U.S.-South Africa relations, which have been strained over issues such as land reform policies in South Africa and differing positions on international matters . The expulsion of an ambassador is a rare and serious diplomatic action, typically reserved for severe breaches of protocol or conduct.
As of now, there is no indication that the United States has released any ambassador in connection with this incident. The focus remains on the expulsion of Ambassador Rasool and its implications for U.S.-South Africa diplomatic relations.