Sat Mar 15 07:16:21 UTC 2025: ## US Expels South African Ambassador Amidst Heightening Tensions

**Washington D.C./Pretoria –** The United States has expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, escalating tensions between the two nations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Rasool *persona non grata*, citing the ambassador’s alleged anti-American sentiments and personal attacks against former President Donald Trump. Rubio, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.”

The South African presidency responded with a statement expressing regret over the expulsion and urging the maintenance of diplomatic decorum. While affirming South Africa’s commitment to a mutually beneficial relationship with the US, the statement did not directly address the accusations against Ambassador Rasool.

This dramatic move follows a series of escalating tensions, including President Trump’s February decision to freeze US aid to South Africa over concerns about land reform legislation. Trump further inflamed the situation last week by inviting South African farmers facing land seizures to relocate to the US, a claim based on his assertion that the South African government is unfairly confiscating land from white farmers.

The expulsion of the ambassador, a rare diplomatic action, highlights the deepening rift. Underlying the conflict is the contentious issue of land ownership in South Africa, where most farmland remains in the hands of white people decades after the end of apartheid. This has fueled ongoing debates and policy reforms.

While South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reported a positive initial conversation with President Trump earlier this year, relations have since deteriorated significantly. Secretary Rubio’s statement linked to a Breitbart News article detailing Rasool’s criticism of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, which Rasool allegedly characterized as a white supremacist response to increasing demographic diversity in the US. Rasool’s past comments critical of Israeli policy were also referenced. The expulsion marks a significant turning point in US-South African relations and raises questions about the future of diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

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