Rubio blasts South African Ambassador to the U.S. over Trump remarks
In a fiery statement on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. was no longer welcome in the country, labeling him a “race-baiting” politician who harbors animosity towards America and President Donald Trump. This stern rebuke comes in response to remarks made by Ambassador Embrahim Rasool during a speech at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) in Johannesburg.
Rasool’s speech centered around Trump’s opposition to South Africa’s expropriation law and its anti-Israel stance. He went on to assert that Trump’s Make America Great Again movement is a White supremacist reaction to demographic changes in the U.S., painting it as an assault on those in power. Rubio wasted no time in denouncing Rasool’s comments, stating unequivocally that the ambassador is now considered persona non grata in the United States.
The tensions between the U.S. and South Africa have been simmering for some time, particularly over South Africa’s land expropriation law that allows for land seizures without compensation. Trump issued an executive order in February penalizing South Africa for this policy, citing it as a violation of citizens’ rights. The order also criticized South Africa’s stance against Israel and its growing ties with Iran, which the U.S. views as a threat to national security.
The South African government has defended the Expropriation Act, claiming that it will only be used for public purposes and that fair compensation will be provided in cases where land is seized. Nevertheless, the rift between the two countries continues to widen, with Rubio’s statement serving as a stark reminder of the strained relations.
As the diplomatic fallout unfolds, it remains to be seen how South Africa will respond to Rubio’s declaration and what impact it will have on the already fraught relationship between the two nations. One thing is clear – tensions are running high, and the future of U.S.-South Africa relations hangs in the balance.
