Exiled South African Diplomat Urges Reset in U.S. Relations

Ebrahim Rasool, the former South African ambassador to the United States, returned home to a warm reception following his expulsion by the Trump administration. Hundreds of supporters gathered at Cape Town International Airport, welcoming him and his wife Rosieda with songs and chants in his honor. As they navigated through the crowded terminal, police officers assisted in guiding them through the enthusiastic crowd.

Rasool emphasized the importance of restoring diplomatic relations between South Africa and the United States. He noted that the recent tensions, exacerbated by accusations from former U.S. President Donald Trump, should not define future engagements between the two nations.

“We do not come here as anti-American,” Rasool stated, addressing his supporters. “We are not here to discard our interests with the United States.” His remarks were his first public response since being declared persona non grata by the Trump administration. The decision stripped him of diplomatic immunity and required him to leave the U.S. by the upcoming Friday. Such expulsions of foreign ambassadors by the U.S. government are considered rare.

The expulsion was officially announced by then-Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on March 14. Rubio accused Rasool of being a divisive political figure and suggested that he harbored anti-American sentiments. The statement linked to an article from the conservative news outlet Breitbart, which detailed Rasool’s comments during a webinar hosted by a South African think tank. In his speech, Rasool discussed shifts in U.S. demographics and the political response from certain factions within the country.

In his address upon returning to South Africa, Rasool stood by his previous statements, explaining that his remarks aimed to inform South African intellectuals and policymakers about evolving political dynamics in the U.S. He also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to its case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel, rejecting any pressure from external entities, including the United States, to withdraw the legal challenge. The Trump administration cited this case as a primary reason for labeling South Africa as anti-American.

The Breitbart article that Rubio referenced was written by Joel Pollak, a senior editor and vocal Trump supporter. Pollak, who has South African roots, has been mentioned in South African media as a potential candidate for the position of U.S. ambassador to South Africa.

During Rasool’s welcome ceremony, some attendees displayed Palestinian flags and chanted “free Palestine,” underscoring the ongoing solidarity with Palestinian causes. Addressing the crowd, Rasool highlighted the continued conflict in Gaza and argued that South Africa’s legal action at the ICJ played a crucial role in exposing Israel’s actions.

“As we stand here today, the bombing and violence in Gaza persist,” Rasool remarked. “If South Africa were not involved in the ICJ case, the suffering of the Palestinian people would remain in the shadows. We cannot abandon them, but we also must not sever our ties with the United States. Our goal should be to rebuild this relationship while preserving our dignity.”