Diplomatic relations between the United States and South Africa have deteriorated significantly following a series of contentious events. The latest incident involves the expulsion of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Rasool “persona non grata” after the ambassador accused President Donald Trump of leading a white supremacist movement during a recent webinar. Rubio labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician” and ordered his departure by Friday.

This diplomatic fallout is the culmination of escalating tensions over the past months. In February, President Trump signed an executive order halting all U.S. financial assistance to South Africa, amounting to nearly $440 million in 2023. The administration cited concerns over South Africa’s land expropriation policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice as primary reasons for the aid suspension.

Further straining relations, U.S. officials have threatened to close the consulate in Johannesburg if Sandton Drive is renamed after Leila Khaled, a Palestinian hijacker. Ambassador-designate Joel Pollak stated that such a renaming would compel the U.S. to acknowledge Khaled on official documents, which he deemed unacceptable.

In response to these developments, South Africa expressed regret over Rasool’s expulsion but reaffirmed its commitment to fostering beneficial relations with the U.S. The South African government criticized the U.S. actions as factually inaccurate and reflective of a campaign of misinformation. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa is a constitutional democracy and will not be intimidated.