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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces bombing the Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect
The Kremlin: Negotiations toward a settlement in Ukraine are currently at a complete standstill
Abu Mujahid: The steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the Resistance thwarted the displacement plan and allowed us to secure the best possible terms in an agreement to halt the genocidal war
Abu Mujahid: We salute whosoever made sacrifices in support of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the martyred Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine, as well as the people of Yemen and Iran
Abu Mujahid, head of the media office of the Popular Resistance Committees, to Al Mayadeen: The people of Gaza have sacrificed and given their most precious offerings for the Al-Aqsa Flood
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli artillery shelling targeted Khan Younis and the al-Bureij and al-Maghazi refugee camps
Captives may be released as early as Saturday and by Monday at the latest: Source briefed on the details of the agreement.
Netanyahu set to convene security cabinet at 1500 (1200GMT) and government at 1600 (1300GMT) to approve the deal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement
Within the first 24 hours, the Israeli military will complete the first phase of partial withdrawal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement

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

Trump open to attending Gaza ceasefire deal ceremony in ME: Rubio

Larry Ellison vetted Rubio’s loyalty to 'Israel', leaks reveal

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

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

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