Ebrahim Rasool, the South African ambassador recently expelled from the United States, returned to his homeland to a rousing reception at Cape Town International Airport. The atmosphere was electric as crowds gathered to greet Rasool and his wife, Rosieda, requiring a police escort to navigate through the throngs of supporters.
Addressing the eager crowd with a megaphone, Rasool expressed a defiant stance regarding his expulsion, stating, “A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you. But when you return to crowds like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity.” He emphasized that while returning home was not their choice, they do so without regrets.
Rasool highlighted the importance of mending South Africa’s relationship with the United States, following accusations from the Trump administration that the country was adopting an anti-American stance. In a significant move last month, President Trump issued an executive order cutting all funding to South Africa, alleging support for the Palestinian group Hamas and claims of anti-white policies.
In December 2023, South Africa filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This initiative has garnered support from over ten other countries.
“We don’t come here to say we are anti-American,” Rasool asserted to the gathered crowd. “We are not here to call on you to throw away our interests with the United States.”
These remarks marked Rasool’s first public comments since the Trump administration declared him persona non grata, stripping him of his diplomatic privileges and granting him a deadline to leave the country. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” who harbors animosity towards the US and Trump.
The expulsion of a foreign ambassador by the US is a rare occurrence, further highlighting the tensions surrounding this diplomatic incident. Rubio’s statement referenced a webinar where Rasool discussed the Trump administration’s approach to diversity, equity, and immigration, raising concerns about the future demographic landscape of the United States.
