WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s administration says South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has until Friday to leave the country.
Last week Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Rasool was “no longer welcome in our great country” and that he was “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS (President of the United States).
““We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA,” Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter.
Its now reported South African embassy staff were summoned to the State Department and given a formal diplomatic note explaining the decision.
Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce advised the staff that Rasool’s diplomatic privileges and immunities expired Monday and that he would be required to leave the United States by Friday.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa told journalists on Monday that “Improving our relationship with the United States of America is a priority for us,” calling the U.S. “our second largest trading partner after China.”
“We have noted the displeasure that has been expressed by the United States, particularly about the remarks he made,” Ramaphosa said, adding that he expected Rasool to return to Pretoria and “give me a full report.”
Rasool, a veteran diplomat who also served as South Africa’s ambassador to Washington during the Obama administration, was appointed back to the post in November.
