Diplomatic drama: SA cautions against Rasool’s explosive return!

Ebrahim Rasool

Cape Town – The South African government has urged political parties and organisations to exercise caution when welcoming expelled ambassador Ebrahim Rasool back into the country, given the tense diplomatic relations with the United States.

Rasool was expelled from the US after allegedly accusing former President Donald Trump of leading a white supremacist movement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Rasool was no longer welcome in the United States because he was “a race-baiting politician” who hates Trump.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya called for restraint to avoid further straining ties with Washington, emphasising that South Africa is not seeking conflict but aims to keep diplomatic channels open.

“We would like to urge all political formations that are planning various homecoming rallies for ambassador Rasool to assist us and refrain from partaking or engaging in action that may seem inflammatory and that may worsen the already volatile diplomatic relationship with the United States,” he said during a media briefing on Thursday.

Rasool is set to return to South Africa this week after being expelled from the US within 72 hours.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa is carefully searching for a replacement for Rasool as ambassador to the US, with Magwenya saying that he will take his time to make the appointment.

“With respect to the appointment of a new ambassador to the United States, the president is not going to rush the process. In fact, the president appreciates the numerous messages he has received. He has been inundated by people volunteering themselves to be posted in Washington, from people making suggestions of individuals to be considered for Washington,” Magwenya said.

“The president is going to take his time with regard to this appointment. The absence of an ambassador in Washington DC does not mean an absence of engagements with the Trump administration. Equally, just as you have here in South Africa the US has not appointed an ambassador yet, but we have been able at various levels of government to continue to have engagements with diplomats from the US embassy.”

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