403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were
looking for doesn't exist.
S-African envoy describes US expulsion as ‘badge of dignity’
(MENAFN) South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, has described his expulsion by the administration of President Donald Trump as a “badge of dignity,” vowing that he has no regrets about his stance. Rasool made the remarks upon his return to Cape Town International Airport on Sunday, where he was met with a jubilant crowd welcoming him and his wife with drumming and dancing.
Rasool was declared persona non grata by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 14, who accused the diplomat of being a “race-baiting politician” with hostility toward the US and its president. The expulsion came after Rasool criticized Trump’s Make America Great Again campaign, calling it a “supremacist assault on incumbency” during a webinar.
Addressing the crowd, Rasool emphasized that his departure was not voluntary but that he returned home “with no regret.” He stated that while diplomatic expulsions are intended to be humiliating, the overwhelming support he received in South Africa reaffirmed his convictions.
“A persona non grata declaration is meant to disgrace you,” Rasool said, “but when you return to such warmth and solidarity, it becomes a badge of our values and proof that we did the right thing.”
The diplomatic rift between Washington and Pretoria has intensified in recent months, particularly following Trump’s decision to halt federal funding to South Africa over its land expropriation policy. The South African government maintains that the law is intended to correct historical racial inequalities in land ownership, while Trump argues it violates the rights of white landowners.
In response to the growing tensions, Pretoria has sought to engage in talks with Washington to address what it calls “misinformation” about its land policies. While the South African government has expressed regret over Rasool’s expulsion, it remains committed to diplomatic engagement.
On Sunday, Rasool reaffirmed the importance of maintaining relations with the US but stressed that South Africa would not compromise its dignity. “We must repair our ties with the US,” he said, “but we will not be bullied.”
Rasool was declared persona non grata by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 14, who accused the diplomat of being a “race-baiting politician” with hostility toward the US and its president. The expulsion came after Rasool criticized Trump’s Make America Great Again campaign, calling it a “supremacist assault on incumbency” during a webinar.
Addressing the crowd, Rasool emphasized that his departure was not voluntary but that he returned home “with no regret.” He stated that while diplomatic expulsions are intended to be humiliating, the overwhelming support he received in South Africa reaffirmed his convictions.
“A persona non grata declaration is meant to disgrace you,” Rasool said, “but when you return to such warmth and solidarity, it becomes a badge of our values and proof that we did the right thing.”
The diplomatic rift between Washington and Pretoria has intensified in recent months, particularly following Trump’s decision to halt federal funding to South Africa over its land expropriation policy. The South African government maintains that the law is intended to correct historical racial inequalities in land ownership, while Trump argues it violates the rights of white landowners.
In response to the growing tensions, Pretoria has sought to engage in talks with Washington to address what it calls “misinformation” about its land policies. While the South African government has expressed regret over Rasool’s expulsion, it remains committed to diplomatic engagement.
On Sunday, Rasool reaffirmed the importance of maintaining relations with the US but stressed that South Africa would not compromise its dignity. “We must repair our ties with the US,” he said, “but we will not be bullied.”
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
More Story
Comments
No comment