Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is expelling South African ambassador, saying the envoy hates President Donald Trump.
The bond has been slumping since Trump cuts U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and genocide against Washington’s ally Israel.
“The Ambassador of South Africa is no longer welcomed by the United States in our great country,” Rubio said in an article on X.
“Ebrahim Rasool is an attractive politician who hates America and hates @potus (Trump).
In a statement from its president and the Ministry of International Relations, South Africa called the move a regrettable one, but he said it remains committed to building reciprocity and will resolve the matter through diplomatic channels.
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Rubio republished an article from the right-wing website Breitbart, which quoted envoys saying Trump led the white supremacist movement. A State Council spokesman said on Saturday that he must set out before March 21.
Reuters could not contact Rasool or confirm his whereabouts.
