Thabo Mbeki reacts to Ebrahim Rasool’s expulsion from the US
Former President Thabo Mbeki has expressed that he was not surprised by the expulsion of former South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from the United States by the Trump administration.
Mbeki, speaking to students at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria on Friday, reflected on the circumstances that led to Rasool being declared persona non grata and sent back to South Africa.
Mbeki: Ambassadors Must Follow Diplomatic Protocol
Mbeki highlighted the strict protocols and conventions that govern the conduct of diplomats, emphasizing that Rasool had made a mistake by criticizing his host country’s president.
“The post of ambassador has particular restrictions, conventions which govern the behaviour of diplomats.
Ebrahim Rasool
Ebrahim Rasool is an old friend and comrade of mine. But I think in this instance, he made a mistake and said things about his host president that he should not have said.
When I saw this and I saw the persona non grata, I was not surprised,” Mbeki said.
The Controversial Webinar That Led to Rasool’s Expulsion
Rasool’s expulsion came after he made critical remarks about the Trump administration during a webinar, which led to a swift response from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The US government responded by declaring him persona non grata, effectively barring him from remaining in the country. He returned to Cape Town on March 23, 2025.
Mbeki explained that once an ambassador publicly criticizes a host country’s leader, their ability to engage diplomatically is compromised.
Ebrahim Rasool
“Because it means, practically, you make an assessment of your host president, which is negative, and you want to sit with that president tomorrow, they won’t agree,” he said.
Mbeki Emphasizes the Importance of Strong SA-US Relations
Despite the controversy surrounding Rasool’s expulsion, Mbeki emphasized that South Africa must maintain good diplomatic relations with the US.
“I was very glad when he (Rasool) landed in Cape Town and while talking to people, he insisted that whatever may have happened in his case, it was critically important that South Africa must understand that it needs good relations with the United States.”
Mbeki noted that while Rasool may have been removed from his position, the larger issue at hand was ensuring that this incident did not harm the broader relationship between the two nations.
A Lesson in Diplomatic Conduct
Mbeki used the incident as a lesson in diplomatic responsibility, reminding students that ambassadors do not have the luxury of speaking in their private capacity.
“I am sure Ebrahim Rasool himself would recognise this. As a diplomat, you do not represent yourself. You cannot speak in your private capacity, there is no private capacity,” Mbeki said.
His remarks suggest that even though Rasool may have expressed personal views, the role of an ambassador is to uphold and represent their home country’s official stance, rather than engage in political commentary about their host country.
Thabo Mbeki
Worsening US-South Africa Relations
Rasool’s expulsion marks another significant development in the increasingly strained relationship between South Africa and the United States.
Recent years have seen a series of diplomatic tensions between the two nations, fueled by political differences, trade disputes, and foreign policy disagreements.
While Mbeki did not directly address the larger geopolitical issues, his comments suggest that careful diplomacy is needed to repair and strengthen relations between South Africa and the US.
Conclusion
The Ebrahim Rasool expulsion incident serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of diplomacy.
While personal opinions and political criticisms may be acceptable for ordinary citizens, ambassadors are held to a different standard. Their words and actions can have far-reaching consequences on international relations.
Mbeki’s reflections underscore the importance of strategic diplomacy, urging South Africa to learn from this controversy and work toward restoring stable ties with the United States.
