Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: For the first time, Prime Minister Netanyahu is signaling that he wants to end the war on Gaza
Israeli Channel 12, citing an American source: We want to have entered a path toward captive release and a ceasefire before Netanyahu arrives in Washington
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One martyr and two injured in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a motorcycle in the town of Mahrouna
Al Mayadeen correspondent to Southern Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle between the towns of Jwayya and Mahrouna.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyred in the Israeli drone strike on a car in the town of Kawnin
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone targets a car in the town of Kawnin
Naeini: If our national interests are attacked again, our response this time will be stronger and more destructive
Naeini: The war has proven that the settlers are defenseless against Iranian missile and drone forces
Naeini: Trump lacks an understanding of the true strength of the Iranian people and is so deluded as to believe he can change the reality of Iran's victory
Naeini: The defeat led to Trump's confusion and loss of balance, which was reflected in his ill-considered statements

Diplomatic rift: South Africa slams US over ambassador's expulsion

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Mar 2025 11:43
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

South Africa has condemned the United States’ decision to expel its ambassador as “regrettable,” calling for “diplomatic decorum” in managing bilateral relations.

Listen
  • x
  • FILE - South Africa's ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool speaks at the South African Embassy in Washington, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP)
     South Africa's ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool speaks at the South African Embassy in Washington, on December 6, 2013. (AP)

South Africa has called the United States’ decision to expel its ambassador “regrettable,” urging adherence to “diplomatic decorum” in managing relations between the two countries, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was no longer welcome in the US, calling him “a race-baiting politician” who harbors hostility toward US President Donald Trump.

“The Presidency has noted the regrettable expulsion of South Africa's Ambassador to the United States of America, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool,” the statement read, adding, “The Presidency urges all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter.”

Despite the escalating tensions, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a “mutually beneficial relationship” with Washington.

The expulsion of Rasool, a former anti-apartheid activist, further strains relations between the two nations, which have already been tested by Trump’s recent policies. In February, Trump froze US aid to South Africa, claiming a national law enables land seizures from white farmers.

At the time, South Africa's Foreign Ministry strongly criticized the executive order, calling it factually incorrect and dismissive of the country's history. "It lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognize South Africa's profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid." 

The executive order has also been linked to South Africa's international legal action against "Israel." In January 2024, South Africa filed a case at the ICJ against "Israel" for committing genocide in Gaza. The White House cited this legal challenge as evidence of South Africa's opposition to Washington and its allies. The order also referenced Pretoria's ties with Iran, another point of contention in US-South Africa relations.

Related News

Rubio says US sanctions on Russia may end dialogue prospects

Trump admin may expand travel ban to 36 nations

Trump invites South African farmers to US amid land dispute

Last week, Trump intensified the dispute by stating that South African farmers were welcome to relocate to the US, repeating his allegation that the government was “confiscating” land from white citizens.

US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that "any Farmer (with family!) from South Africa, seeking to flee that country for reasons of safety, will be invited into the United States of America with a rapid pathway to Citizenship."

Declaring South Africa a "bad place to be right now," Trump said the US would immediately halt all aid to Pretoria.

Tensions between Washington and Pretoria have escalated over South Africa’s land expropriation law, which Trump claims will lead to the seizure of white-owned farms.

The South African presidency swiftly responded, rejecting what it called "counterproductive megaphone diplomacy."

Trump, whose close ally Elon Musk was born in South Africa, previously stated that the law, signed in January, allows the government to "seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation."

The legislation permits the government to offer "nil compensation" in certain cases when land is expropriated in the public interest. Supporters argue it addresses historic inequalities, as white landowners still control most farmland three decades after apartheid.

However, Trump accused the country of "being terrible, plus, to long time Farmers in the country."

Read more: South Africa, Malaysia launch campaign for justice protection

  • Marco Rubio
  • United States
  • Ebrahim Rasool
  • ambassador's expulsion
  • South Africa

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS