U.S. declares South African ambassador persona non grata after remarks; State Department says privileges expire this week

The State Department said it informed the South African Embassy in person and delivered official notification that Ambassador Rasul had been declared persona non grata following public remarks the department described as equating the U.S. president and country with white supremacy.

A State Department spokesperson said the notification was handed to embassy staff the same day Secretary Marco Rubio announced the decision. The spokesperson said the ambassador’s diplomatic privileges were due to expire on Friday following the formal notice and that the ambassador was required to depart by that deadline.

The spokesperson described the reported remarks as unacceptable for a diplomat whose role is to facilitate relations between countries. She said the action was intended to uphold a standard of basic respect by those posted to U.S. soil.

Context: The spokesperson linked the move to a broader review of U.S. policy toward South Africa, citing concerns the department has raised in recent months about Pretoria’s positions, including an “unjust land expropriation law,” a growing relationship with Russia and Iran, and statements accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. She said those issues have prompted a serious policy review.

What the briefing did not provide: The State Department did not provide verbatim text of the remarks by the ambassador in the briefing, nor did it announce next steps for bilateral engagement beyond saying the bilateral relationship and policy toward South Africa are under review.

Officials said they hoped for a better relationship with South Africa but framed the expulsion as a response to conduct that, in the department’s view, undermined the diplomatic role expected of an ambassador.