The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed that plans are underway to identify South Africa’s ambassador to the United State following Ebrahim Rasool’s expulsion.
US State Secretary, Marco Rubio Rasool expelled Rasool over comments about US President Donald Trump which were labelled as race-baiting, and further accused Rasool of hating Trump.
WHO WILL REPLACE EBRAHIM RASOOL?
At the weekend, The South African reported that the Department of State in the US said in line with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Rasool is declared persona non grata, meaning he is no longer welcome in the country.
“The Department will no longer recognise Ambassador Rasool as a member of the mission as of Monday, 17 March, at which point his privileges and immunities will cease. He and his dependent are required to depart the United States no later than 21 March.
“Further, Ambassador Rasool is considered unacceptable for future accreditation as a member of the South African mission to the United States,” The US Department of State said in the letter.
Additionally, the Department said Ebrahim Rasool’s recent comments regarding Trump were deeply offensive and make it impossible for the US Government to continue engaging with him.
Following the expulsion which the Presidency said was “regrettable”, Dirco minister’s spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told Newzroom Afrika that processes to identify the country’s next ambassador are already underway.
Phiri said upon his arrival, Rasool will brief President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola on what transpired and what then from his recommendation, the work that he has done should be the way forward.
“I say that because Ambassador Rasool was on the verge of meeting very strategic officials in the White House, he had secured some significant appointments there. So, this hurdle comes at that moment, it will be important for him to debrief the President and the Minister to say how do we take forward the momentum he may achieved forward and how do we ensure that we sustain it,” Phiri said.
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL REPLACE EBRAHIM RASOOL AS SA’S AMBASSADOR TO THE USA?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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