Fractured ties
US expels South Africa's ambassador Ebrahim Rasool over "race-baiting" and Rwanda cuts ties with Belgium over DRC conflict.
The US has expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing him of "race-baiting" and hostility towards the US and President Trump. This rare move follows Rasool’s remarks about Trump’s alleged supremacist mobilisation, escalating tensions between the two nations. Meanwhile, Rwanda cut diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of undermining Rwanda amid the DR Congo conflict. Belgium had pushed for EU sanctions against Rwanda over its alleged M23 rebel links. The dispute has heightened as fighting displaces 850,000 Congolese, with peace talks between the Congolese government and M23 scheduled in Luanda.
The recent expulsion of South Africa's ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, and Rwanda's severing diplomatic ties with Belgium both highlight a worrying trend of deteriorating international relations. This trend is fuelled by inflammatory rhetoric and geopolitical tensions, which risk undermining diplomatic channels and constructive dialogue.
The US move to expel Mr Rasool reflects escalating friction between Washington and Pretoria, exacerbated by Rasool's criticism of President Trump and accusations of "supremacism." South Africa's perceived alignment with Russia and China has already strained relations with the US, and Rasool's expulsion marks a new low in Pretoria-Washington relations.
Tensions between the two nations have been simmering since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. South Africa's refusal to condemn the invasion and its decision to hold joint naval drills with Russia and China angered Washington, leading to diplomatic rows. The situation was further complicated when the US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, was forced to apologise for alleging that South Africa was supplying arms to Russia. While these tensions arose under the Biden administration, the animosity has continued under the Trump administration despite its generally warmer stance towards Moscow. Trump’s government remains displeased with Pretoria’s frontline stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The immediate cause of Rasool's expulsion was his remarks during a webinar, where he described the Trump administration's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement as a "supremacist" response to demographic shifts in the US. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labelled these comments as "race-baiting" and accused Rasool of hating America and President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Rwanda's decision to cut ties with Belgium highlights the fragility of post-colonial African relationships. Kigali's accusations of "neo-colonial delusions" and Brussels' counterclaims of "disproportionate" actions reveal a profound breakdown in trust. This dispute unfolds against the backdrop of UN and US accusations of Rwandan support for M23, which has intensified fighting, displaced over 850,000 Congolese civilians, and led to EU sanctions on Rwandan military and mining officials linked to the group.
These conflicts illustrate a shifting global order, where African states assert their diplomatic agency while Western nations respond with punitive measures. As domestic political narratives and historical grievances increasingly spill over into international relations, cooperation on pressing global issues is jeopardised. These developments could further complicate Africa's engagements with major global powers, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts and strategic alliances.