Published: 09:46, March 18, 2025
South African president expects 'full report' from expelled envoy to US
By Xinhua
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks to journalists during the eighth EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town, South Africa, March 13, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

JOHANNESBURG - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Monday that the expelled Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool was returning to South Africa to brief him on recent developments.

"Ebrahim Rasool will be back soon. The US State Department has ruled that he is no longer acceptable in the United States. I will wait for a full report from him," Ramaphosa stated.

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Speaking at the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development (ECD) Leadership Summit in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa's commitment to engaging with the US government, describing Rasool's expulsion as a minor setback in bilateral relations.

This Dec 6, 2013 file photo shows South Africa's ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool speaking at the South African Embassy in Washington. (PHOTO / AP) 

The expulsion came after Rasool addressed a webinar recently organized by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, commenting on the Trump administration. "What Donald Trump is launching is an assault on incumbency, those who are in power, by mobilizing a supremacism against the incumbency at home and I think I've illustrated abroad as well," Rasool said.

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Ramaphosa said that they had taken note of the United States' concerns with his remarks. "We have noted the displeasure of the United States with regard to remarks made by Ambassador Rasool. Engagements with the US government are ongoing," he said.