Secretary of State Marco Rubio has lashed out on social media at the ambassador's critical comments about President Trump at a think tank in Johannesburg.
The Trump administration has formally expelled South Africa's ambassador from the United States, a spokesman for the South African president said on Saturday, calling the decision “regrettable.”
Ambassador Ebrahim Rasul received an expulsion letter from the State Department, said Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The move comes at a time of worsening relations between the two countries, with Mr Trump accusing Mr Ramaphosa’s government of discriminating against South Africa’s white minority and supporting one of America’s foes, Iran.
A statement from Mr Ramaphosa's office called for “established diplomatic norms” to be observed.
“South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America,” the statement said.
The first clues about Mr. Rasoul's fate emerged on Friday, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio flew out of a Group of Seven meeting in Canada.
Mr Rubio wrote on social media that the South African ambassador was a “race-baiting politician who hates America” and Mr Trump. He added: “We have nothing to discuss with him, so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.” The designation requires South Africa to terminate Mr Rasoul’s role as ambassador.
