South Africa is now on the hunt for a new ambassador to the United States after Ebrahim Rasool was expelled in a move that has sparked political tension.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed that plans are already underway to identify a replacement following Rasool’s controversial remarks about former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Comments That Led to Expulsion
Rasool’s removal was triggered by statements he made while addressing the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) in Johannesburg on March 14.
In his speech, Rasool claimed that Trump was spearheading a global white supremacist movement.
His remarks quickly caught the attention of U.S. officials, and the backlash was swift.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded on social media, condemning Rasool’s comments as “race-baiting” and accusing him of harboring deep-seated hatred toward Trump.
Soon after, an article published by Breitbart amplified the controversy, further escalating tensions.
Official U.S. Response and Expulsion
By the weekend, the U.S. Department of State had taken decisive action, invoking Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to declare Rasool persona non grata—a diplomatic term meaning he was no longer welcome in the country.
The State Department issued a statement confirming that Rasool would no longer be recognized as a member of South Africa’s diplomatic mission starting March 17.
Additionally, he and his dependents were given until March 21 to leave the United States.
The letter further stated that Rasool was now deemed ineligible for any future diplomatic role within the South African mission in Washington.
According to the U.S. government, Rasool’s statements were considered highly offensive and created an environment that made further engagement with him impossible.
The South African Government’s Response
In response to the expulsion, the South African government expressed regret over the incident.
Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, confirmed that discussions are already in motion to determine Rasool’s successor.
Upon his return to South Africa, Rasool is expected to brief President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Lamola on the events leading up to his removal.
According to Phiri, Rasool had been on the verge of securing key meetings with high-ranking White House officials before the controversy erupted.
The government now faces the challenge of maintaining diplomatic momentum despite this setback.
Who Will Be South Africa’s Next Ambassador to the U.S.?
The race is now on to find the next ambassador who can restore diplomatic stability between Pretoria and Washington.
The selection process will be closely watched, as the next envoy will need to navigate both political sensitivities and critical bilateral negotiations.