U.S. Declares South African Ambassador Persona Non Grata

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, "persona non grata" on Friday, effectively expelling him from the country. The move marks one of the most severe diplomatic rebukes the U.S. can issue and underscores the rapidly deteriorating relationship between the two nations.

South African Ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool

Rubio, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accused Rasool of being a “divisive figure who spreads anti-American rhetoric and harbors contempt for our leadership.” He added, “Ebrahim Rasool is no longer welcome in the United States. His presence here is incompatible with our values and interests.”

The decision comes amid growing friction between the U.S. and South Africa, particularly over South Africa’s controversial land reform policies, which the Trump administration claims unfairly target White farmers. Rubio’s announcement referenced a recent speech by Rasool at a think tank event, where the ambassador criticized the Trump administration’s policies and linked the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement to rising far-right ideologies globally.

“Donald Trump’s agenda is not just about domestic politics—it’s a global mobilization of supremacist ideals,” Rasool said during his remarks at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA). He also pointed to figures like Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance, suggesting their ties to far-right movements in Europe reflect a broader alignment with extremist ideologies.

Rasool, a seasoned diplomat serving his second term as South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., presented his credentials to then-President Joe Biden in January. His comments, which lasted nearly 20 minutes, appear to have been the catalyst for Rubio’s decision.

The expulsion of Rasool is the latest chapter in a series of punitive measures taken by the Trump administration against South Africa. Earlier this year, the U.S. suspended aid to the country, citing “government-sponsored discrimination” against White farmers. President Donald Trump has also pledged to offer asylum and a “rapid pathway to citizenship” for South African farmers fleeing what he described as “race-based persecution.”

At the heart of the dispute is South Africa’s Expropriation Act, enacted in January, which allows the government to seize and redistribute land without compensation in certain cases. The policy is aimed at addressing the stark inequalities in land ownership rooted in apartheid, during which Black South Africans—who make up over 80% of the population—were forcibly dispossessed of their land. Today, they own just 4% of private land, while the White minority, which comprises less than 10% of the population, controls the majority of arable land.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the legislation, calling it a necessary step to rectify historical injustices and ensure equitable access to land. However, the Trump administration has vehemently opposed the policy, with Trump and Musk alleging it discriminates against White South Africans.

In early February, Rubio signaled his disapproval by refusing to attend the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg. “South Africa is expropriating private property and using international platforms to promote divisive ideologies,” Rubio said at the time. “My duty is to protect American interests, not to indulge in anti-American rhetoric.”

The expulsion of Rasool has drawn sharp criticism from South African officials, who view the move as an overreaction and a violation of diplomatic norms. Analysts warn that the escalating tensions could have significant consequences for bilateral relations, particularly in areas like trade, security, and global cooperation.

As of now, neither the South African embassy in Washington nor the U.S. State Department has issued an official statement on the matter. However, the fallout from this diplomatic rupture highlights the deepening ideological divide between the Trump administration and South Africa’s government.

With both sides entrenched in their positions, the path to reconciliation appears increasingly uncertain. The expulsion of Rasool not only underscores the growing rift between the two nations but also raises questions about the future of U.S.-South Africa relations in an increasingly polarized global landscape.