- Rasool’s comments on Trump led to his expulsion
- Rasool expressed no regrets about leaving
- South Africa called it "regrettable," while the US criticized him
Ebrahim Rasool, a veteran of the anti-apartheid movement and a victim of the injustices of South Africa’s racist system, has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, especially when it comes to assessing the actions of the new US administration. However, despite the diplomatic stir his remarks caused, Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, appeared remarkably calm in a message to his friends and family after learning of his expulsion from the United States.
In the message, Rasool shared that he and his family were “all packed up and looking forward to returning to South Africa,” expressing that he was leaving with “no regrets.” His message stood in stark contrast to the diplomatic tensions sparked by his comments.
The controversy began after Rasool’s remarks about US President Donald Trump were delivered during a webinar hosted by a South African think tank. In his speech, Rasool, a 62-year-old veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, offered a thoughtful analysis of Trump’s policies and their impact on Africa, particularly in light of tensions surrounding South Africa’s controversial land reform law. The law had led to the US cutting off funding, accusing South Africa of unfairly targeting its white minority, a claim South Africa strongly denied.
Rasool voiced the opinion that Trump was “mobilizing supremacism” and “projecting white victimhood” as the white population in the US faced becoming a minority. These remarks sparked divided reactions both locally and internationally, with some arguing he had crossed a diplomatic line, while others defended his right to offer an honest assessment.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded sharply, declaring that Rasool was “no longer welcome” in the US, calling him a “race-baiting politician who hates America.” Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office called the expulsion “regrettable,” with Ramaphosa downplaying the incident, referring to it as a “hiccup” that was being addressed. However, South African government officials, speaking anonymously, criticized Rasool’s actions as a “line-crossing” diplomatic misstep.
In the US, Jim Risch, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised Rubio for condemning Rasool’s comments as “disgraceful.”
For those who knew Rasool, however, his outspoken views on US policies and his manner of expressing them were hardly surprising. Raised in Cape Town under apartheid, where racial zoning forced non-white populations into poorly provisioned areas, Rasool’s early life was marked by his resistance to the oppressive system. His activism, which began in the 1970s, led to his imprisonment and eventual meeting with Nelson Mandela, who later became South Africa’s first democratically elected president.
Rasool served in various leadership roles within the African National Congress (ANC) and South Africa before being appointed as the US ambassador from 2010 to 2015, under President Barack Obama. His return to Washington in 2024 was due to his experience and extensive network.
Faiez Jacobs, a long-time friend and fellow anti-apartheid activist, defended Rasool’s remarks, claiming that he had been asked for an objective analysis of the US situation and had provided it in a measured, academic manner. Jacobs suggested that Rasool’s Muslim identity and his outspoken support for Palestine were significant factors behind the hostile reaction to his comments. In 2024, South Africa had taken Israel to the International Court of Justice over alleged genocidal acts in Gaza, a case Israel denied.
Dr. Oscar van Heerden, an international relations expert at the University of Johannesburg, explained that Rasool was aware of the challenges he would face when reappointed, especially given the already hostile stance from certain factions of the US government. According to Van Heerden, Rasool found himself caught between an “openly antagonistic” US administration and the need to represent South Africa’s interests.
Though a replacement for Rasool is reportedly in the works, Van Heerden noted that no amount of experience or seniority would suffice to please the Trump administration—only someone who completely aligns with their views would be acceptable.
