Expelled SA Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool ordered to leave US within 72 hours

The US Department of State said Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool’s privileges and immunities will cease on Monday, 17 March.

South Africa's expelled Ambassador to the USA, Ebrahim Rasool. Image: AFP

South Africa’s expelled Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool has been asked to depart the country no later than Friday, 21 March.

Rasool was expelled over comments about US President Donald Trump which were labelled as race-baiting. In addition, US State Secretary, Marco Rubio accused Rasool of hating Trump.

EBRAHIM RASOOL ORDERED TO LEAVE US BY 21 MARCH

According to an article published on Breitbart, Rasool said Trump is leading a white supremacist movement in America and around the world when he addressed the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) in Johannesburg on Friday, 14 March.

Following the comments, US State Secretary Marco Rubio took to X (formerly Twitter) to declare that Rasool is no longer welcome in the country.

“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates President Donald Trump. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA,” he wrote on X.

In a letter dated 14 March, the Department of State said in line with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Rasool is declared persona non grata, meaning he is no longer welcome in the US.

“The Department will no longer recognise Ambassador Rasool as a member of the mission as of Monday, 17 March, at which point his privileges and immunities will cease. He and his dependent are required to depart the United States no later than 21 March.

“Further, Ambassador Rasool is considered unacceptable for future accreditation as a member of the South African mission to the United States,” The US Department of State said in the letter.

Additionally, the Department said Rasool’s recent comments regarding Trump were deeply offensive and make it impossible for the US Government to continue engaging with him.

PRESIDENCY NOTES EXPULSION

Meanwhile, the South African Presidency said it has noted the regrettable expulsion of South Africa’s Ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool.

“The Presidency urges 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 of America,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.

On Saturday, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola told eNCA that he has engaged with Rasool and that he has been ordered to leave the US within 72 hours.