South Africa is searching for a new US ambassador following Ebrahim Rasool’s expulsion by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing controversial remarks on the MAGA movement. This decision has heightened diplomatic tensions, prompting calls from South Africa for maintaining diplomatic decorum. The ANC seeks a seasoned political figure to mend ties with the US.
South Africa has initiated the search for a new ambassador to the United States following the dismissal of its former envoy, Ebrahim Rasool. This decision has heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations. On March 14, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally declared Rasool persona non grata, which prohibits him from continuing his diplomatic role in Washington, D.C.
Secretary Rubio asserted, “South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country. Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.” This action followed Rasool’s controversial remarks pertaining to the MAGA movement and demographic changes within the United States.
During a webinar led by a South African think tank, Rasool suggested that the prominence of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, associated with former President Donald Trump, was partly influenced by demographic shifts. He indicated, “The MAGA movement is a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the USA,” citing projections that the white American electorate would constitute only 48% in the future.
These statements elicited significant backlash in Washington, with the Trump administration perceiving them as unwarranted interference in American politics. In light of Rasool’s expulsion, Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, labeled the decision as “regrettable” and called for both nations to uphold diplomatic norms, stating, “We urge all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter. South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.”
Consequently, South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is in pursuit of a seasoned political figure to mend relations with Washington. Reports indicate that an experienced ANC politician may be leading the selection process. An ANC official remarked, “He won’t speak out of line. He is a smart guy, and his messaging will be disciplined.” The burgeoning rift between South Africa and the US is the latest episode in a series of diplomatic hurdles, exacerbated by previous accusations regarding land expropriation from white farmers, deepening the complexities of their relationship.
In summary, South Africa’s search for a new ambassador to the United States follows the contentious expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool, reflecting escalating diplomatic tensions. The remarks made by Rasool concerning the MAGA movement have contributed to a strained relationship, prompting calls for decorum from both sides. The ANC is now seeking a new envoy to repair these ties amidst ongoing diplomatic challenges.
Original Source: globalsouthworld.com
