Washington acts resolutely, President Ramaphosa expresses attitude, states "priorities"

On March 17, the US State Department said that after South African Ambassador to the country Ebrahim Rasool was declared "persona non grata" last week, he must leave Washington no later than March 21.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa prioritizes improving relations with the US. (Source: Polity)

Reuters news agency quoted US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce as saying that Mr. Rasool's diplomatic privileges and immunities had expired. Previously, the South African Embassy had also received an official diplomatic note explaining this issue.

On the South African side, the Foreign Ministry said that Mr. Rasool is still in the US but will leave as soon as possible. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Pretoria considers improving relations with the US a "priority".

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference, Mr. Ramaphosa stated: "Improving relations with Washington is our priority," emphasizing that the US is "our second largest trading partner after China."

According to the leader, South Africa has noted the US's displeasure and expulsion of Ambassador Rasool, considering this a small step back in bilateral relations and he is waiting for the diplomat to "return and report fully".

Tensions between the two countries escalated on March 14, when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on social network X that Mr. Rasool was no longer welcome in the US, after Mr. Rasool gave a speech criticizing US President Donald Trump for racism.

The expulsion is the latest development in escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria over policy disagreements and South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Mr Rasool - an anti-apartheid activist since his youth, has also expressed anger at the Israeli government over the conflict in Gaza.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cang-thang-my-nam-phi-leo-thang-washington-hanh-dong-kien-quyet-tong-thong-ramaphosa-bay-to-thai-do-neu-uu-tien-307980.html