THE US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced on Friday that Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, was no longer welcome in the country.
This decision was made after Rasool’s comments about President Donald Trump.
Rubio described Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” who, he claimed, harboured animosity towards both America and President Trump.
He said there were no further discussions to be had with the ambassador, leading to his designation as persona non grata.
The move follows Rasool’s remarks at a foreign policy seminar, where he was reported to have said that President Trump was promoting a form of supremacism both domestically and internationally. Rubio shared a Breitbart article referencing these comments.
As of yet, the US State Department has not issued an official statement on the matter, and the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C. has not responded to the announcement.
This development marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US and South Africa, which have been strained over issues including land reform policies and South Africa’s stance on Israel.
President Trump recently halted US aid to South Africa, citing dissatisfaction with these policies.
-BTS Media
