The U.S. State Department has stated that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, who was declared “persona non grata” last week, must leave the country by Friday.
Following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision, which he announced on social media last Friday, South African embassy staff were called to the State Department. They received a formal diplomatic note outlining the decision.
The State Department clarified that Ambassador Rasool had been deemed unacceptable to continue serving as his country’s representative to the U.S. His diplomatic privileges and immunities officially expired on Monday, and he is required to depart the country by Friday.
South Africa’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, confirmed in a Monday interview that Rasool is still in the U.S. but will depart as soon as possible.
Rubio made the announcement in a post on X while returning to the United States from a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada. In the post, he criticized Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, calling him a “race-baiting politician” who has animosity toward former President Donald Trump.
Rubio’s post included a link to a story from the conservative Breitbart news site, covering a speech Rasool gave earlier in Johannesburg. During a webinar for a South African think tank, Rasool, speaking via videoconference, discussed actions taken by the Trump administration and framed them within the context of a U.S. where white people would soon no longer be the majority.
Expelling a foreign ambassador is an uncommon move for the U.S., with lower-ranking diplomats more often receiving persona non grata status.
Rubio’s decision follows a series of actions by the Trump administration targeting South Africa. Last month, Trump signed an executive order halting U.S. aid to the country, criticizing the Black-led South African government for what it described as anti-white policies and support for groups like the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters on Monday that Ambassador Rasool would provide him with a report upon his return to South Africa.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the concerns raised by the United States, particularly regarding Rasool’s remarks, but emphasized that South Africa is working to repair its relationship with the U.S.
“This is a setback, but it’s something we are working to resolve,” he said.
He reassured the public, stating, “We will engage with the United States formally, with deep respect for them and for President Trump as well. Our relationship with the U.S. will be restored, so I encourage the people of South Africa not to lose sleep over this.”
However, a spokesperson for South Africa’s Foreign Ministry mentioned that the country intends to raise concerns with the U.S. regarding Rubio’s announcement on social media, where he declared that Rasool was no longer welcome in the U.S. before directly informing him of the decision.
Phiri stated that South Africa believes these issues should be addressed through diplomatic channels first. “However, this is the reality we must deal with under this administration, where it seems Twitter (X) has become the preferred way of communication,” the spokesperson remarked in an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation.