South Africa has expressed disappointment over the United States’ decision to expel its ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, calling for respect and diplomatic courtesy between the two nations.
The move came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who harbors hatred toward former President Donald Trump. The South African presidency released a statement, describing the expulsion as unfortunate and urging all parties to uphold proper diplomatic conduct.
South Africa emphasized its commitment to strengthening ties with the US despite the incident. However, this expulsion has added fuel to the growing tensions between the two countries.
The dispute escalated earlier when Trump froze US aid to South Africa, claiming that the country’s land reform policies allowed the seizure of land from white farmers. Trump further invited South African farmers to relocate to the US, accusing the government of “confiscating” land from white citizens.
The situation has sparked criticism and deepened the divide between Washington and Pretoria as South Africa heads toward a crucial election, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) facing declining support.