US EditionSouth African coalition fights over US ambassador pick
- In March 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata, leading to his expulsion from Washington and marking a low point in strained US-South Africa relations.
- Tensions escalated due to South Africa's vocal criticism of Israel, its support for the Palestinian cause, its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and accusations from the Trump administration that South Africa was supporting Hamas and Iran.
- Adding to the discord, Donald Trump accused South Africa of anti-white policies and unfair land policies, claims for which he provided no evidence, while also signing an executive order that froze aid to South Africa and prioritized Afrikaner victims of racial discrimination in the US refugee system.
- Upon returning to South Africa, Rasool stated he had no regrets for his comments about supremacism, which led to his expulsion, and Rasool supporters welcomed him at Cape Town International Airport, where he proclaimed he would wear his persona non grata label as a 'badge of dignity'.
- Analysts suggest that the expulsion and related tensions jeopardize South Africa's trade relationship with the US, its access to American markets through the African Growth and Opportunities Act , and that Trump is potentially targeting South Africa, a softer BRICS partner, to send a message to other major BRICS players.
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S. Africa seeks to balance pride with interests as US ties sour
The expulsion of Pretoria's ambassador to Washington has added urgency to calls for South Africa to salvage its relationship with the United States in a balance between national pride and vital investment.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left3Leaning Right5Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Center, 38% Right
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center, 38% of the sources lean Right
38% Right
L 23%
C 38%
R 38%
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