Tensions between the United States and South Africa have reached a boiling point following the expulsion of South Africa's Ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool. The dramatic move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X, declares Rasool "persona non grata" and signals a severe deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Rubio, in his statement, accused Rasool of being a "race-baiting politician" who harbors animosity towards the United States and former President Donald Trump. He further asserted that the US has "nothing to discuss with him." This unprecedented action underscores the deepening rift between Washington and Pretoria.

The expulsion is the latest in a series of escalating disagreements. In February, former President Trump froze US aid to South Africa, citing concerns over a contentious land ownership law that he claimed would allow for the seizure of land belonging to white farmers. Trump extended an invitation to these farmers to migrate to the US, promising them a "rapid pathway to citizenship."

While South African President Cyril Ramaphosa initially described a positive conversation with Trump earlier in the year, he later acknowledged that relations had "seemed to go a little bit off the rails."

Ambassador Rasool, a former anti-apartheid activist, has faced criticism from right-wing circles for his commentary on Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement, which he characterized as a reaction to the increasing demographic diversity within the United States. He has also been a vocal critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza, drawing parallels between the situation and the oppression experienced during the apartheid era in South Africa. Notably, on March 15, 2025, South Africa filed a claim with the International Court of Justice, alleging that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

The expulsion of Ambassador Rasool marks a significant diplomatic rupture between the US and South Africa, raising concerns about the future of their relationship. It remains to be seen how South Africa will respond to this unprecedented action and what further ramifications it will have on the international stage. The historical context of South Africa's struggle against apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by white Afrikaner leaders, further complicates the situation. This historical backdrop adds another layer of sensitivity to Rasool's comparisons between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and apartheid.