U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, as persona non grata, effectively barring him from diplomatic engagement in the country. Rubio, in a post on X, accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who “hates America” and “hates” former President Donald Trump. “We have nothing to discuss with him, so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA,” Rubio wrote, signaling a major escalation in diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
The move comes amid worsening relations between the two nations, particularly over South Africa’s land reform policies and its stance on global governance issues. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed regret over the decision, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining a “mutually beneficial relationship” with the U.S. He also urged all parties to approach the matter with diplomatic decorum.
Rubio’s announcement followed a Breitbart report highlighting Rasool’s remarks at a recent think tank discussion, where he criticized Trump’s presidency and policies. Rasool described Trump’s political movement as driven by a supremacist agenda, both domestically and internationally, and commented on shifting U.S. demographics, predicting an eventual majority-minority electorate.
The tensions between the U.S. and South Africa have been escalating since Trump’s return to office, with his administration imposing economic measures against Pretoria. Critics, including Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, have voiced concerns over South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which allows land seizures without compensation under certain conditions. The policy has been condemned by Trump, who claims it discriminates against White farmers.
In February, Rubio announced he would boycott the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg, accusing South Africa of promoting “dangerous policies” related to property rights and diversity initiatives. Shortly after, Trump suspended aid to South Africa and unveiled a plan offering expedited U.S. citizenship to Afrikaner refugees fleeing alleged government-backed discrimination.
The diplomatic fallout underscores growing fractures in U.S.-South Africa relations, with Rasool’s expulsion marking a significant turning point in an already tense geopolitical standoff.