Ebrahim Rasool
By Thabo Mosia
Cape Town, South Africa – Former South African ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has returned home after being declared persona non grata by the US government. Despite his expulsion, Rasool stands firm on the remarks that led to his removal, saying they were meant to alert South Africans to a changing US political landscape. He believes South Africa’s relationship with the US must be rebuilt and reset, even as his return sparks mixed reactions and concerns about diplomatic and trade ties.
A Diplomat’s Expulsion
Ebrahim Rasool, who served as South Africa’s ambassador to the US from 2010 to 2015 and again from 2021 until March 2025, was expelled following comments made during a February 2025 webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA). Speaking to South African intellectuals, political leaders, and unionists, Rasool warned that the “old way of doing business with the US was not going to work” under President Donald Trump’s administration.
He said: “Unless we change our way of speaking to the US and recognizing what is the US—it is not the US of Obama, it is not the US of Clinton, it is a different US—our language must change.” Rasool pointed to a “fringe white community in South Africa” and a “white diaspora in the White House” as challenges to diplomatic engagement, remarks the US deemed inflammatory.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded swiftly, calling the comments “unacceptable” and accusing Rasool of undermining bilateral relations. On 15 March 2025, the US declared Rasool persona non grata, a rare diplomatic move forcing his return to South Africa after over 32 hours of travel.
Standing Firm on His Words
Upon landing at Cape Town International Airport on 20 March 2025, Rasool faced a barrage of media questions but remained unapologetic. “I stand by my remarks,” he told reporters. “We were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government.”
Rasool argued that his expulsion proved his message had impact, reaching the “highest office” in the US. “The fact that what I said caught the attention of the president and the secretary of state and moved them enough to declare me persona non grata says that the message went to the highest office,” he said. For Rasool, this underscored the need for South Africa to adapt its approach to a shifting US administration.
A Hero’s Welcome Amid Caution
Rasool’s return was met with a warm reception from groups like the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), and the Muslim Judicial Council. At the airport, supporters gathered, including ANC Dullah Omar region leaders and the South African Communist Party (SACP), who praised Rasool for “speaking truth to power.”
Melvin de Brain, Cosatu’s Western Cape provincial secretary, condemned the US action. “What happened in America was totally wrong for him to be expelled,” he said. “They should have called him in and discussed the matter like we did when their ambassador made false statements.” SACP provincial secretary Benson added: “We commend Comrade Rasool for refusing to submit to right-wing populist authoritarian imperialist forces.”
Yet, not all reactions were celebratory. President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC national leadership urged restraint to avoid escalating tensions with the US. “This issue must be managed carefully,” an ANC statement read, reflecting concerns about trade and diplomatic fallout.
Strained South Africa-US Relations
Rasool’s expulsion has intensified worries about South Africa-US relations, already strained under Trump’s second term. Experts fear repercussions for trade agreements like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to US markets for South African goods. Funding cuts to programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are also at risk.
Dr. Siphamandla Zondi, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg, told TimesLIVE on 21 March 2025: “This is a low point in our diplomatic ties. The US sees Rasool’s remarks as a challenge, and South Africa must now navigate the economic consequences carefully.”
Rasool remains optimistic, advocating for a broader approach to rebuilding ties. “We must rebuild and reset the relationship with America,” he said. “Our relationship over 50 years has not always been with the White House; it has sometimes been with Congress and always with the people of the United States of America.”
What’s Next for Rasool?
When asked about his future, Rasool was reflective. “You must first recover from your previous job before you look for another job,” he said. “We will think about it, we will pray on it, and we will consult on it, and then we will decide what to do next.” He requested a week or two of silence to process his experience, hinting at a possible return to Western Cape politics, where he served as premier from 2004 to 2008.
Rasool also confirmed he began drafting a report for President Ramaphosa last week, detailing his tenure and the events leading to his expulsion. “We will finalize it and be ready for the president,” he said, though he declined to comment further on its contents.
A Wider Foreign Policy Debate
The incident has sparked broader discussions about South Africa’s foreign policy. Rasool’s remarks during the webinar also touched on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, expressing hope that his successor would not “abandon the people of Palestine” amid ongoing tensions. This aligns with South Africa’s vocal support for Palestine, a stance that has occasionally clashed with US policy.
The SACP’s Benson suggested using the crisis to rethink economic reliance on the West. “South Africa must look East and assert ourselves with our rich resources,” he said, referencing calls from Minister Gwede Mantashe to withhold minerals from the US in retaliation.
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