The US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the remarks made by expelled South African ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool “unacceptable” after he failed to show respect to Americans, leading to his expulsion.
Bruce made the comments in the media on Monday, following Rasool’s expulsion last week on Friday.
Political experts suggest that Rasool’s expulsion signals a diplomatic shift in the US and South Africa relations, placing the country in a challenging political position.
Rasool was expelled from the US, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused him of harbouring hatred for the country and President Donald Trump.
"South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country," Rubio posted on X.
Trump referred to Rasool as "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.”
He added, "We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”
Addressing the media, Bruce said Rasool’s remarks were unacceptable not to Trump, but to all Americans.
“These remarks were unacceptable to the United States, not just to the president, but to every American,” she said.
“That I think it's the very least, what we should expect is a standard of some respect -basic, low-level respect, if you are in a position that is going to help facilitate any kind of diplomatic relationship with another country.
“This particular individual (referring to Rasool) certainly didn’t meet that standard.”
Bruce said the expulsion sent a message about the expectations of the American people, president and secretary of state regarding the treatment of the nation and its citizens.
“So, that's why we stopped,” she added.
Bruce announced that Rasool’s ambassador status expired on Monday, and he must leave the US by Friday.
The US and South Africa relationship has worsened since Trump halted US financial aid to SA in February, citing a controversial land reform law he claims allows land to be seized from white farmers.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that Rasool will return to the country and provide a full report on the circumstances surrounding his expulsion.
”Ebrahim Rasool will be coming back soon after the US State Department has ruled that he is no longer acceptable in the US,” Ramaphosa told the media on Monday, at the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Leadership Summit in Braamfontein, Gauteng.
“He is going to come back and give me a full report. So, I will wait for a full report from him.”
Ramaphosa acknowledged the displeasure expressed by the United States, particularly Rasool’s remarks, and emphasised that South Africa is engaged in ongoing discussions with the US.
“We have noted that, and we will engage with them as we are already engaging with them,” Ramaphosa said.
"The engagement with them continues and is going to take a variety of forms. It's going to be through envoys. It's going to be through people either from the business community, labour, and a whole number of others, including from the government.”
IOL Politics