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South African ambassador expelled from Washington returns to Cape Town
The South African Ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, who was expelled from the United States, returned home on Sunday. He expressed no regret over the decision made by the U.S. administration in a statement to the press in Cape Town, where a lively crowd greeted him.
The United States had ordered Rasool to leave on March 14 after declaring him "persona non grata." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused him of being a "racist politician who hates America" and President Donald Trump.
South Africa has been under increasing scrutiny from Washington since Donald Trump returned to power. The former president cut aid to South Africa, accusing the country of treating descendants of European settlers "unfairly" and criticized it for filing a genocide complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
"We did not choose to return home, but we are coming back without regrets," Rasool said, addressing the hundreds of people who had gathered to welcome him in Cape Town.
The South African presidency called the decision "regrettable," with Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola condemning the "unprecedented" measure.
"Ambassador Rasool was about to meet with strategic officials at the White House when the announcement of his expulsion was made," lamented South Africa's foreign ministry spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, on March 15.
"This unfortunate development has undermined significant progress," he added, following weeks of debate and concern over Pretoria's future in the AGOA trade agreement, which allows for tax-free exports to the U.S.
"In normal diplomatic relations, a procedure should have been followed to allow the ambassador to explain his comments," said South Africa's foreign minister.
On March 14, Rasool accused Donald Trump of "mobilizing white supremacy against the current administration" during a webinar. "It’s unfortunate that we are receiving tweets that do not help repair our relationship," he remarked.
The announcement of his expulsion triggered a strong reaction in South Africa, with the radical left-wing party EFF, which finished fourth in last year's elections with just under 10% of the vote, accusing Donald Trump of being the "grand wizard of a global Ku Klux Klan."
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