The United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, calling him “persona non grata.” The move follows Rasool’s critical r.emarks about the Trump administration, which he has accused of promoting racial supremacy and undermining diversity efforts. The decision adds to growing tensions between South Africa and the US under President Trump.

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• US expels South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, labeling him “persona non grata.”
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio accuses Rasool of racial politics and disdain for President Trump.
• Rasool’s comments targeted US racial policies during a South African think tank webinar, criticizing Trump’s administration and its handling of demographic changes.
• Rasool previously served as ambassador from 2010-2015, returning to the post in January 2025.
• The expulsion is highly unusual, as expulsions of foreign ambassadors are rare in US diplomatic history.
• The US criticized South Africa’s land reform policies, with Trump claiming they discriminated against Afrikaners, a group of South African whites.
• Rasool’s comments included a critique of Trump and Elon Musk, accusing Musk of courting far-right groups and stoking racial division.
• The US administration had previously targeted South Africa with executive orders limiting aid and support for the Black-led government.
• South Africa’s new land reform law allows land expropriation for public interest, aiming to rectify apartheid-era injustices.
• Rasool’s ouster follows a growing diplomatic rift, reflecting broader US-South Africa tensions over race and policy disagreements.