U.S. bans South African ambassador amid rising diplomatic tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially banned South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, declaring him persona non grata and barring him from the country.

Rubio announced the decision in a post on X, accusing Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who “hates America” and President Donald Trump.

“South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio wrote. “Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates President Donald Trump. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”

The move follows Rasool’s recent remarks during a virtual address to the Johannesburg-based Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, where he criticized Trump and his allies.

Rasool suggested that the “Make America Great Again” movement, along with figures like Elon Musk and JD Vance was fueling a global resurgence of white supremacist sentiments.

Rubio’s decision marks a serious escalation in U.S.-South Africa relations, already strained over key geopolitical issues, including South Africa’s land expropriation policies, its support for Palestine, and its criticism of Israel. The ban further deepens divisions between Washington and Pretoria, highlighting growing tensions in their diplomatic ties.