By Gwurld4026 
South African Envoy Speaks Out: Back Home and Unapologetic
Ebrahim Rasool, the former South African Ambassador to the United States, returned to Cape Town on March 23, 2025, following his expulsion by the U.S. government. Addressing supporters upon his arrival, Rasool expressed that he had “no regrets” about his tenure and actions leading to the expulsion.
The expulsion stemmed from comments Rasool made during a webinar hosted by the South African Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, where he characterized President Donald Trump’s policies as a “white supremacist response to growing demographic diversity in the United States.” In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Rasool persona non grata, leading to his departure from the U.S.
Upon his return, Rasool defended his remarks, stating they were intended as an analysis of political phenomena rather than an attack. He emphasized the importance of South Africa maintaining its stance on international issues, including its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Rasool asserted that without South Africa’s involvement, “Israel would not be exposed, and the Palestinians would have no hope.”
He also addressed the need to rebuild and reset relations with the U.S., acknowledging the complexities of international diplomacy. Rasool highlighted that South Africa should not allow external powers to dictate its alliances, stating, “We could not do so by allowing the U.S. to choose who must be our friends and who must be our enemies.”
Rasool’s expulsion has further strained U.S.-South Africa relations, already tense due to disagreements over land policies and South Africa’s legal actions against Israel. Despite these challenges, Rasool remains steadfast in his convictions, viewing the expulsion as a consequence of standing up for his principles.
For more insights into Rasool’s perspective upon his return, you can watch his address in Cape Town: