South Africa expresses regret over expulsion of South African diplomat to U.S.

JOHANNESBURG, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Presidency of South Africa has expressed regret over the expulsion of South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the presidency, it has noted the regrettable expulsion of the South African ambassador and urged 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," said the presidency.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Rasool "persona non grata" on the social media platform X on Friday, following an earlier address by the South African ambassador in which he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the address, Rasool accused Trump of "leading a global white supremacist movement" and breaking down established norms and practices when it comes to diplomacy.

Trump signed an executive order in February to cut financial assistance to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and accusing the country of "seizing ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property." The move also came amid South Africa's genocide case against Washington's ally, Israel, at the International Court of Justice. ■