Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s diplomat, received a warm welcome back home in Cape Town where he was celebrated like a hero. However, his exit signified a notably significant escalation in the worsening relations between Washington and Pretoria.

When Ebrahim Rasool returned to Cape Town following his expulsion from the United States, he was greeted by such massive crowds that he required a police escort. It appeared as though Rasool was delighted to return home.

"A declaration of persona non grata (A diplomat who is unwanted and rejected) aims to shame you. However, when you go back among crowds such as these with kindness, I shall wear my status aspersona non grataboth proudly and respectfully,” he stated.

Yet, regardless of the rebellion and unusual conditions that resulted in Rasool being expelled from the United States There’s no denying that this marks a new low point in the relationship between Pretoria and Washington. It’s quite rare for the US to expel ambassadors, particularly from countries considered unfriendly, let alone those with significant trade ties.

"The deteriorated relationship between these nations is widely known," said political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast from Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha to Sport.Bangjo.co.id.

U.S. President Donald Trump had previously signed an executive order in February. eliminating all financial support for South Africa Trump's administration alleges that South Africa backs the Palestinian militant organization Hamas and Iran. Furthermore, South Africa initiated a genocide lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, an action that has irritated the U.S., a strong supporter of Israel and its largest provider of weapons.

Trump claims, without offering proof, that South Africa has implemented discriminatory policies against whites following the enactment of legislation permitting the government to seize property without reimbursement when it serves the public good. Additionally, he expressed his willingness for white farmers to relocate to the U.S. As a result, approximately 70,000 white South African individuals have reportedly indicated their desire to move to America.

Who is Rasool, and what led to his expulsion by the U.S.?

Rasool is broadly recognized as a seasoned diplomat and political figure, having acted as the premier of the Western Cape. Earlier in his career, he occupied significant roles within the governing ANC party. Prior to this, he became well-known through his activism against apartheid, leading to periods of imprisonment. Previously, from 2010 to 2015 during President Barack Obama’s tenure, he functioned as an ambassador to the United States. According to diplomatic insiders, Rasool was reinstated as ambassador in 2024 due to his extensive expertise in handling matters related to Washington.

Rasool has strongly criticized Israel, labeling its actions towards Palestinians in Gaza as "genocide" and alleging that it practices apartheid. He was an influential supporter of South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the ICJ .

However, during his participation in a webinar hosted by the South African research institute MISTRA, Rasool condemned Trump’s efforts to curtail diversity and equality initiatives as well as immigration policies. He went on to suggest that these actions could stem from concerns about whites losing their voter majority status in the U.S., referring to it as an “assault on those currently holding power” driven by supremacist ideologies.

Shortly afterward, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to Rasool as a "race-mongering politician" who "harbored hatred for America," before pronouncing him Persona Non Grata.

Rasool mentioned he was just informing intellectuals and political figures in South Africa about the shifts in U.S. politics and the changes in the country itself.

"I stand behind my assessment since our focus was on examining a political phenomenon, rather than concentrating on an individual, a country, or even its administration," Rasool stated.

Was Rasool involved in crossing diplomatic borders?

Certain experts have denounced Rasool’s comments as hasty, inappropriate, and harmful to the well-being of South Africans who rely on positive ties with the United States.

There was an expectation that eventually we would face harm from them. It’s just that I hadn’t anticipated their actions moving so swiftly," Breakfast stated to Sport.Bangjo.co.id, "Now, repairing this diplomatic bond will undoubtedly be a colossal challenge.

In addition, there is another element that the South African government has struggled to manage effectively: lobbying groups based in South Africa that operate independently of the government.

"There's a wild card in all of this and that clearly is ex-South Africans, those of South African origin in the United States, that have some sort of axe to grind with South Africa and filters that through the close links within the Trump administration," Cape Town-based analyst Daniel Silke told Sport.Bangjo.co.id.

"It’s nearly as challenging as tackling the concrete realities at hand," Silke stated to Sport.Bangjo.co.id.

This primarily involves influential figures of South African descent such as Elon Musk, along with lobbyists including Afriforum and Solidariteit. The group even encompasses entities like the Cape Independence Advocacy Group, which advocates for separating the Western Cape province from the remainder of South Africa; they too were planning a visit to Washington.

"The attention Trump has received from Solidariteit and Afriforum has informed him that white individuals in South Africa are being killed extensively," Breakfast stated to Sport.Bangjo.co.id.

It will cause us the greatest pain

"Finding a way out of this predicament is crucial for the South African government," analyst Breakfast stated to Sport.Bangjo.co.id.

Currently, South Africa holds the presidency of G20, yet U.S. officials have refrained from attending G20 gatherings. On a bilateral level, the United States ranks as South Africa’s second-biggest export destination following China.

Around 600 U.S. companies constitute the biggest individual investors in this nation, providing jobs for over 130,000 South African citizens. In 2024, these enterprises exported merchandise valued at $14.7 billion (or €14.1 billion) to America.

Silke informed Sport.Bangjo.co.id that South Africa holds less importance for the United States' economy.

"If you're going to take action against countries that have foreign policies you believe are antithetical to US interests, like being part of BRICS,which is certainly something that Trump has commented on, South Africa does become sort of a sitting duck target for the United States," he said.

U.S. investments in South Africa might explain why the presidency mentioned the dismissal of a high-ranking diplomatic official only briefly. "regrettable."

Although both Rasool and the South African government have emphasized enhancing ties with the US as a key objective, his expulsion most likely indicates that such reconciliation is improbable in the immediate future, thus making preferential treatment unfeasible.

South Africa gains trade access to American markets as AGOA extends past 2025 appears in jeopardy.

"It could turn out to be a no-win scenario, although I believe we would suffer the most from it," Breakfast stated to Sport.Bangjo.co.id.

Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu

Author: Cai Nebe