Trump Administration Orders South African Ambassador to Depart the U.S. by Friday

By
Joe Killer
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    <p>WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has announced that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, who was <span class="LinkEnhancement">designated as “persona non grata” last week</span>, must exit the country by Friday.</p>
    <p>Following Secretary of State Marco Rubio's determination that <span class="LinkEnhancement">Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was no longer accepted</span> in the U.S., his decision was shared on social media on Friday. South African embassy personnel were called to the State Department to receive a formal diplomatic notification about the decision, as confirmed by department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.</p>
    <p>Bruce stated that Rasool's diplomatic rights and immunities lapsed on Monday, requiring him to leave the United States by Friday.</p>
    <p>In a television interview on Monday, South African Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri confirmed that Rasool remained in the U.S. but would depart at the earliest opportunity.</p>
    <p>Rubio revealed his decision in a <span class="LinkEnhancement">post on X</span> while en route back to the United States from a <span class="LinkEnhancement">Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting</span> in Canada. He labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician” who opposes President Donald Trump.</p>

    <p>The post included a link to a report from the conservative outlet Breitbart about Rasool's address earlier that day in Johannesburg, part of a webinar hosted by a South African think tank. Speaking remotely, Rasool discussed actions taken by the Trump administration within the context of an evolving United States demographic landscape.</p>

    <p>It is quite rare for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador, as it typically targets lower-ranking diplomats with persona non grata status.</p>

    <p>This move is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration directed at South Africa. Last month, Trump <span class="LinkEnhancement">signed an executive order</span> suspending funding to the nation, citing multiple grievances regarding the Black-led South African government, which it claims is implementing anti-white policies and supporting “bad actors” worldwide, including the <span class="LinkEnhancement">Palestinian militant group Hamas</span> and Iran.</p>

    <p>South African President Cyril Ramaphosa informed reporters on Monday that he would receive a report from Rasool upon his return. Ramaphosa acknowledged the concerns raised by the United States, particularly regarding Rasool’s comments, but expressed confidence that South Africa was in the process of mending its relationship with the U.S.</p>
    <p>“This is a hiccup, a hiccup we are working on resolving,” he stated.</p>
    <p>“We will engage with the United States of America formally,” Ramaphosa remarked, expressing respect for both the country and President Trump. He reassured the South African people that the relationship with the U.S. would be restored, urging them not to worry.</p>
    <p>Bruce emphasized that the United States expects mutual respect in diplomatic relations.</p>
    <p>“We’ve maintained a decent level of diplomacy with South Africa. There are challenges, but it's important to have individuals at each embassy who can effectively facilitate a relationship,” she said to reporters on Monday. “These comments were deemed unacceptable not only to the president but to all Americans.”</p>

    <p>The spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry expressed that South Africa intends to raise concerns about Rubio announcing Rasool’s status on social media prior to communicating the decision directly to him.</p>
    <p>Phiri noted that such matters should ideally be handled through diplomatic channels. “However, we must accept that this administration appears to prefer Twitter (X) as its means of communication,” he commented in an interview with South Africa Broadcasting Corporation.</p>
    <p>Bruce mentioned that the meeting with the South African embassy staff took place on Friday, coinciding with Rubio's post at 4:42 p.m. that same day.</p>
    <h2>___</h2>
    <p>Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed.</p>
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