Mon Mar 17 18:40:00 UTC 2025: **South Africa Prioritizes US Relationship Repair After Ambassador’s Expulsion**
**JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA—** South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Monday that improving relations with the United States is a top priority following the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool. The expulsion, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X (formerly Twitter), stemmed from comments Rasool made in an online seminar describing former President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement as a white supremacist reaction to demographic changes.
Rubio, citing a Breitbart News article, called Rasool a “race-baiting politician” who hates President Trump. While Ramaphosa acknowledged the US’s displeasure, he emphasized the importance of the US-South Africa relationship, citing the US as South Africa’s second largest trading partner after China.
The expulsion is the latest escalation in tensions between the two nations, fueled by disagreements including South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice regarding the Gaza war and Rubio’s refusal to attend a G20 meeting in South Africa due to perceived anti-American sentiment.
Ramaphosa stated that South Africa will engage with the US through diplomatic and business channels to mend the fractured relationship. He highlighted the government’s responsibility to advance the interests of both South Africa and its citizens.
First Piper 