SA GOVT BEMOANS THE SHOCK EXPULSION OF ITS US ENVOY, AMB RASOOL

The SA government has bemoaned the shock expulsion of its top envoy to Washington, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a social media post yesterday that Amb Rasool has been declared a persona non grata.

The state department accused Amb Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician who hates America”.

Amb Rasool’s diplomatic immunity and other related privileges will be formerly withdrawn on Monday March 17, the State department said in a statement. Amb Rasool and his department have also been given six days to leave the US, which is by March 21.

The SA government has expressed regret at the latest turn of events in frosty bilateral relations between Pretoria and Washington.

In swift state responding to the rapidly deteriorating bilateral relations, the SA government said: “The Presidency has noted the regrettable expulsion of South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool.“

The Presidency urges all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter.

“South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America.”