By 
Opposition parties in South Africa have called on its president not to be “bullied” by the United States (US) after Washington expelled Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, giving him just 72 hours to leave the country.
Rasool was declared an unwelcome person after US State Secretary Marco Rubio called him a “race-baiting politician who hates America” on Friday.
According to BBC, Tensions between South African and the US have been on a downward spiral since US President Donald Trump came into office.
However, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola told state broadcaster SABC that “it is not helpful to engage in Twitter diplomacy”, saying the two countries need to talk “face-to-face.”
Other politicians were less measured in their response.
Julius Malema’s opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party issued a scathing statement against the US, calling on South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa “to not allow the country to be bullied by the orange clown occupying the White House.”
Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) Secretary General, Apa Pooe, also condemned the US decision, calling it an attack on South Africa’s sovereignty and an attempt to dictate policy in the country.
“SA is not a puppet of the US, we have the right to govern our country without any interference,” he said.
Trump has been a vocal critic of South Africa’s controversial land bill, which allows the government to confiscate land without compensation in certain circumstances.
Last month, Trump cut aid to South Africa.
He alleged there was discrimination against the white Afrikaner minority, descendants of Dutch and French settlers.
South Africa denies this.
Rasool previously served as US ambassador from 2010 to 2015, when Barack Obama was president.
He was appointed as ambassador again in 2024, because of his previous experience and extensive network of Washington contacts.
But despite his record, he has faced challenges setting up meetings with Trump.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments