South African ambassador expelled from the United States amid tensions with President Donald Trump’s administration has returned home to a warm and enthusiastic welcome. Ebrahim Rasool and his wife, Rosieda, were greeted by large crowds at Cape Town International Airport on Sunday, requiring police assistance to navigate through the throngs of supporters.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd with a megaphone, Rasool conveyed his sense of pride regarding his circumstances. He remarked, “Being declared persona non grata is intended to bring shame. However, when you return to such a warm reception, I choose to wear this label as a symbol of honor.” He further stated, “Returning home was not our decision, but we have no regrets about it.”
Rasool emphasized the need for South Africa to mend its relationship with the United States, especially after Trump accused the country of adopting an anti-American stance before he decided to expel him. The former president had issued an executive order last month that cut all funding to South Africa, claiming the government supported the Palestinian group Hamas and pursued anti-white policies.
In December 2023, South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention during its conflict in the Gaza Strip. More than ten countries have since joined South Africa in this case.
“We’re not here to express any anti-American sentiments,” Rasool addressed the audience. “Our intention is not to urge you to abandon our interests with the United States.”
These remarks were Rasool’s first public comments since the Trump administration declared him persona non grata, stripping him of his diplomatic privileges and ordering him to leave the country within a week. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” who exhibits animosity towards the United States and President Trump.
It is quite rare for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador. Rubio’s statement referenced a talk Rasool gave during a webinar organized by a South African think tank, where he discussed the Trump administration’s policies on diversity, equity, and immigration, and mentioned the potential demographic shifts in the U.S. regarding the white population.
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