U.S. Orders South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool to Depart by Friday

The U.S. has declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool ‘persona non grata’, requiring him to leave the country by Friday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Rasool as a ‘race-baiting politician’, following comments he made about U.S. demographics. This rare diplomatic move highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and South Africa, with both sides issuing statements on future relations.

The U.S. State Department has mandated that Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador, must depart by Friday, following his designation as “persona non grata.” This decision, communicated through a formal diplomatic note to the South African embassy, indicates Rasool is no longer accepted as a representative of his nation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Rasool’s impending expulsion in a social media post while returning from a G7 meeting, labeling him a “race-baiting politician” opposed to President Donald Trump. Rubio’s remarks were prompted by Rasool’s comments during a recent webinar addressing U.S. demographic changes.

Typically, the expulsion of a foreign ambassador is an uncommon action for the U.S., although it is more frequent for lower-level diplomats. This decision follows previous measures by the Trump administration aimed at South Africa, including a recent executive order halting governmental funding based on accusations of anti-white policies and support for adversarial entities.

In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office expressed concern over Rasool’s expulsion, urging continued diplomatic decorum in handling the situation. The statement emphasized South Africa’s commitment to fostering a beneficial relationship with the United States.

In summary, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool of South Africa has been ordered to leave the United States following his classification as ‘persona non grata.’ This unusual action is part of broader tensions between the Trump administration and the South African government, culminating in statements from both officials and the South African embassy regarding the situation and future diplomatic relations.

Original Source: www.newsday.com