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15 Mar, 07:32

South Africa to act through diplomatic channels in situation with envoy to US — spokesman

Earlier, Rubio declared South African Ambassador to Washington Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata, calling him "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates the US president."

PRETORIA, March 15. /TASS/. South Africa will act through diplomatic channels in connection with the declaration of its ambassador to the United States as persona non grata, Chrispin Phiri, a spokesman for South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said.

"We have noted the tweet by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio," Phiri said on his X page. "We will engage through the diplomatic channel," he emphasized, without specifying exactly what steps South Africa intends to take. South Africa currently does not have a US ambassador, his or her duties are now performed by the charg· d'affaires.

Earlier, Rubio declared South African Ambassador to Washington Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata, calling him "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates the US president."

Rassoul was reappointed as South Africa's ambassador to the United States in November 2024 by executive order of the country's president Cyril Ramaphosa. He presented his credentials to then-US President Joe Biden on January 13. Rassoul previously served as South Africa's ambassador to the United States from 2010 to 2015.