Rubio Declares South African Ambassador Unwelcome Over Controversial Remarks

Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, declared South African Ambassador Embrahim Rasool persona non grata following remarks linking Trump’s policies to white supremacy. The tension escalated due to South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which permits land seizure without compensation. Rubio criticized Rasool, claiming he is unfit to represent South Africa in the U.S. due to his derogatory statements.

On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Embrahim Rasool, had been declared persona non grata and is no longer welcome in the country. Rubio criticized Rasool for making remarks that he deemed derogatory and politically charged, accusing him of being a “race-baiting” politician who harbors animosity towards both America and President Donald Trump, especially following the ambassador’s claims of Trump leading a global white supremacist movement.

Rasool’s comments were made during a talk at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection in Johannesburg. He suggested that Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda was a reaction to demographic changes within the United States, characterizing it as a supremacist movement aimed against current political leadership.

In response to Rasool’s statements, Rubio expressed his outrage on social media, stating that there would be no further discussions with the ambassador, emphasizing, “South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country. Emrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.”

The friction between the U.S. and South Africa has further escalated due to South Africa’s recent Expropriation Act, which allows the government to seize land without compensation from ethnic minorities. In February, Trump issued an executive order denouncing this law, asserting that the United States could not extend aid to South Africa while it engages in such practices.

The executive order explicitly stated the policy against supporting South Africa’s government as it was seen to undermine U.S. foreign policy and cause significant national security concerns. It also indicated a commitment to promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees facing government-sponsored discrimination.

The expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador by Secretary of State Marco Rubio reflects rising tensions between the United States and South Africa, ignited by controversial remarks regarding race and land policies. Rasool’s statements and the enactment of the Expropriation Act have drawn significant criticism from U.S. officials, underlining issues related to racial discrimination and foreign policy interests of the United States. This situation highlights the complexities of international relations and domestic policies surrounding race and property rights.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com