U.S. Declares South African Ambassador Persona Non Grata Amid Diplomatic Strain

The United States has officially declared South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata, marking a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations.


The announcement was made on Friday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement that underscored growing tensions between Washington and Pretoria.

Rubio confirmed the decision in a post on the social media platform X, stating that Rasool was “no longer welcome in our great country.” The move signals a sharp escalation in diplomatic friction and raises questions about the future of U.S.-South Africa relations.

The declaration of persona non grata is one of the strongest diplomatic measures a host country can take against a foreign envoy, effectively ordering them to leave the country. While the U.S. government has not officially disclosed the specific reasons behind the decision, the action reflects mounting disagreements between the two countries on a range of geopolitical and policy issues.

Relations between Washington and Pretoria have become increasingly strained in recent years, particularly over South Africa’s foreign policy stance. The country has maintained close ties with nations such as Russia and China and has taken positions on global conflicts that have sometimes diverged from those of the United States and its Western allies.

South Africa has also been vocal in its criticism of certain U.S. policies and has strengthened its role in multilateral organizations such as BRICS, alongside Brazil, Russia, India, and China. This growing alignment with powers often at odds with U.S. interests may have contributed to heightened tensions.

As of now, there has been no immediate response from the South African government regarding Rasool’s expulsion. However, the decision is likely to prompt diplomatic repercussions, including potential retaliatory measures from Pretoria.

The U.S. State Department has yet to provide further details on the expulsion, but the move underscores a shifting dynamic in U.S.-South Africa relations and could have broader implications for diplomatic engagement between the two nations in the coming months.

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