US declares South African ambassador persona non grata amid rising tensions
The US State Department and the South African Embassy in Washington have yet to issue official responses.
Washington has declared South Africa's ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool a persona non grata, escalating already tense relations between the two countries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this on Friday, calling Rasool a "race-baiting politician" who despises both America and former President Donald Trump.
"South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country," Rubio posted on X. "We have nothing to discuss with him, and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA."
Rasool had previously served as South Africa's envoy to Washington and returned for a second tenure in January 2024, presenting his credentials to former president Joe Biden.
The US State Department and the South African embassy in Washington have yet to issue official responses.
However, South Africa's foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said Pretoria has "noted the tweet" and will engage with Washington "through the diplomatic channel".
Diplomatic falling-out
Tensions between the US and South Africa have been steadily deteriorating, exacerbated by Trump's decision to cut financial aid to Pretoria. The US cited concerns over South Africa's land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as key points of contention.
Washington's latest move raises questions about whether Pretoria will retaliate with a reciprocal expulsion, a common diplomatic response in such cases.
But given South Africa's limited leverage in the relationship, its next steps remain uncertain.
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