Publish: 11:53, 15 Mar, 2025

US bars South African envoy from entering the country

Online Desk
US bars South African envoy from entering the country
Photo - Collected

The Trump administration has declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool a persona non grata, barring him from the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on social media, calling Rasool a "race-baiting politician who hates America and hates POTUS." Rubio linked his remarks to a Breitbart article where Rasool accused Trump of using “white victimhood” as a “dog whistle” during the 2024 elections.

This move is the latest in Trump's confrontational stance toward South Africa, which has supported Palestinian rights and backed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Reports suggest Rasool has been denied routine meetings with US officials and key Republicans since Trump’s return to office.

Rasool, a veteran diplomat, resumed his ambassadorial role in January after previously serving under President Obama from 2010 to 2015.

Tensions between the US and South Africa have been escalating. Trump’s administration has accused the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of discriminating against white South Africans.

In February, Trump cut aid to South Africa while offering expedited US citizenship to white Afrikaners, citing alleged “government-sponsored race-based discrimination.” The move was a response to a land reform law aimed at addressing apartheid-era inequalities.

However, South Africa refuted Trump’s claims, stating the law has not led to land confiscations.

Despite Trump’s claims, South African authorities highlight the country's deep-rooted economic disparities. A 2017 audit revealed that while Black people make up 80 percent of the population, they own just 4 percent of privately held farmland, while white Afrikaners, only 8 percent of the population, control most of the land.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, dismissed the US decision, stating the country would not engage in “counterproductive megaphone diplomacy.”

Source: Al Jazeera

Bd-pratidin English/FNC

More News
US deports hundreds of Venezuelans despite court order
US deports hundreds of Venezuelans despite court order
Erdogan backs Trump’s efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war
Erdogan backs Trump’s efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war
59 people killed in nightclub fire in North Macedonia
59 people killed in nightclub fire in North Macedonia
Yemen vows ‘professional and painful’ response to US strikes
Yemen vows ‘professional and painful’ response to US strikes
Cuba begins restoring power to Havana, outlying provinces
Cuba begins restoring power to Havana, outlying provinces
Iran denies again aiding Yemen's Houthi rebels
Iran denies again aiding Yemen's Houthi rebels
Protesters flood Belgrade in one of biggest anti-govt rallies
Protesters flood Belgrade in one of biggest anti-govt rallies
51 dead in North Macedonia nightclub fire
51 dead in North Macedonia nightclub fire
‘US has no authority dictating Iran’s foreign policy’
‘US has no authority dictating Iran’s foreign policy’
Malaysian civil servant arrested for accepting bribes for fake birth certificates
Malaysian civil servant arrested for accepting bribes for fake birth certificates
Children among 31 killed after US fighter jets bomb Yemen: Houthis
Children among 31 killed after US fighter jets bomb Yemen: Houthis
Millions of Cubans spend second night without electricity
Millions of Cubans spend second night without electricity
Latest News
Banned BCL leader held for derogatory remarks about Prophet (PBUH)
Banned BCL leader held for derogatory remarks about Prophet (PBUH)
1 second ago | City
Truth about sleep: Experts reveal how much rest you actually need
Truth about sleep: Experts reveal how much rest you actually need
2 minutes ago | Lifestyle
Tk7,000cr Kushtia EZ to boost export, jobs, and regional growth
Tk7,000cr Kushtia EZ to boost export, jobs, and regional growth
20 minutes ago | Business
ADB to provide $500mn loan for bank reforms
ADB to provide $500mn loan for bank reforms
21 minutes ago | Special
US deports hundreds of Venezuelans despite court order
US deports hundreds of Venezuelans despite court order
28 minutes ago | International
Councillor Ekramul’s wife threatens defamation suit against director Rafi, Prothom Alo
Councillor Ekramul’s wife threatens defamation suit against director Rafi, Prothom Alo
29 minutes ago | National
Newcastle end 56-year trophy drought
Newcastle end 56-year trophy drought
46 minutes ago | Sports
Erdogan backs Trump’s efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war
Erdogan backs Trump’s efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war
48 minutes ago | International
59 people killed in nightclub fire in North Macedonia
59 people killed in nightclub fire in North Macedonia
54 minutes ago | International
Hamza's coming home
Hamza's coming home
1 hour ago | Sports
Finance Adviser hints at corporate tax cuts in upcoming budget
Finance Adviser hints at corporate tax cuts in upcoming budget
1 hour ago | Business
Implementing prof Yunus’ philosophy to end violence against women
Implementing prof Yunus’ philosophy to end violence against women
1 hour ago | National
Foreigners to make grand appearance in Eid ‘Ityadi’ again
Foreigners to make grand appearance in Eid ‘Ityadi’ again
1 hour ago | Entertainment
Ex-Nagorik Committee leader announces new political platform
Ex-Nagorik Committee leader announces new political platform
1 hour ago | National
Report of ‘No parade on Independence Day’ is untrue: CA press wing
Report of ‘No parade on Independence Day’ is untrue: CA press wing
11 hours ago | National
CPD recommends raising tax-free income limit to Tk 4 lakh
CPD recommends raising tax-free income limit to Tk 4 lakh
11 hours ago | Business
Yemen vows ‘professional and painful’ response to US strikes
Yemen vows ‘professional and painful’ response to US strikes
12 hours ago | International
Oscar for Emergency? Kangana says America can keep their ‘silly’ award
Oscar for Emergency? Kangana says America can keep their ‘silly’ award
12 hours ago | Entertainment
Gold prices hiked by Tk2,613 per bhori
Gold prices hiked by Tk2,613 per bhori
12 hours ago | Business
Cuba begins restoring power to Havana, outlying provinces
Cuba begins restoring power to Havana, outlying provinces
12 hours ago | International
Fakhrul urges quick national election to restore stability
Fakhrul urges quick national election to restore stability
12 hours ago | National
People won’t tolerate excuse of delaying elections: Nazrul Islam
People won’t tolerate excuse of delaying elections: Nazrul Islam
12 hours ago | National
CA to hold special meeting with police tomorrow
CA to hold special meeting with police tomorrow
13 hours ago | National
Tarique promises trial for killings in 2024 uprising if BNP wins
Tarique promises trial for killings in 2024 uprising if BNP wins
13 hours ago | National
DMP urges people not to create suffering by blocking roads
DMP urges people not to create suffering by blocking roads
13 hours ago | City
Air chief leaves for USA
Air chief leaves for USA
13 hours ago | National
Travel ban imposed on Papon, his family
Travel ban imposed on Papon, his family
13 hours ago | National
Chinese solar company to invest in Bangladesh: envoy
Chinese solar company to invest in Bangladesh: envoy
14 hours ago | Business
BFIDC urged to produce eco-friendly products
BFIDC urged to produce eco-friendly products
14 hours ago | National
Court freezes 27 bank accounts of ex-MP Papon, family
Court freezes 27 bank accounts of ex-MP Papon, family
14 hours ago | National
Most Read
Train tickets for March 26 available online
Train tickets for March 26 available online
23 hours ago | National
Train commuters urged to buy Eid tickets from official app, counters
Train commuters urged to buy Eid tickets from official app, counters
19 hours ago | National
EU calls for international standard election in Bangladesh: CEC
EU calls for international standard election in Bangladesh: CEC
18 hours ago | National
What does spending a long time in space do to the human body?
What does spending a long time in space do to the human body?
21 hours ago | Lifestyle
Tarique Rahman takes responsibility for two Pabna orphans
Tarique Rahman takes responsibility for two Pabna orphans
20 hours ago | National
New Zealand romp to nine-wicket win in first Pakistan T20
New Zealand romp to nine-wicket win in first Pakistan T20
22 hours ago | Sports
UN Secretary General leaves Dhaka
UN Secretary General leaves Dhaka
22 hours ago | National
Dhaka Central University to be established with 7 colleges
Dhaka Central University to be established with 7 colleges
18 hours ago | City
Sunlight exposure offers life-changing health benefits, experts say
Sunlight exposure offers life-changing health benefits, experts say
20 hours ago | Lifestyle
BNP to introduce three secretary generals
BNP to introduce three secretary generals
22 hours ago | Special
Can aspirin help fight cancer?
Can aspirin help fight cancer?
22 hours ago | Lifestyle
10 timeless habits to reconnect and nourish your soul
10 timeless habits to reconnect and nourish your soul
21 hours ago | Lifestyle
Bangladeshi migrant flow increases on Mediterranean route to Europe
Bangladeshi migrant flow increases on Mediterranean route to Europe
23 hours ago | National
Weather Forecast: Mild heat wave sweeps across several districts
Weather Forecast: Mild heat wave sweeps across several districts
23 hours ago | National
Peanut farming sees promising prospects in Panchagarh
Peanut farming sees promising prospects in Panchagarh
21 hours ago | Business
David Warner set for Telugu film debut with cameo in ‘Robinhood’
David Warner set for Telugu film debut with cameo in ‘Robinhood’
23 hours ago | Entertainment
China’s Baidu unveils two new AI models amid rising competition
China’s Baidu unveils two new AI models amid rising competition
23 hours ago | Tech
NASA's stranded astronauts greet their replacements at space station
NASA's stranded astronauts greet their replacements at space station
22 hours ago | Tech
Five protein-rich alternatives to meat during Ramadan
Five protein-rich alternatives to meat during Ramadan
23 hours ago | Lifestyle
Blast from suspected old bomb in Syria kills 16
Blast from suspected old bomb in Syria kills 16
19 hours ago | International
Reforms to make Bangladesh one of the perfect democracies
Reforms to make Bangladesh one of the perfect democracies
22 hours ago | National
Death sentence of 20 BUET students in Abrar murder case upheld
Death sentence of 20 BUET students in Abrar murder case upheld
20 hours ago | National
Myanmar village air strike kills at least 12: Local official
Myanmar village air strike kills at least 12: Local official
21 hours ago | International
Judge temporarily blocks Trump's use of wartime powers to target Venezuelan gang members
Judge temporarily blocks Trump's use of wartime powers to target Venezuelan gang members
23 hours ago | International
Telegram's Durov allowed to leave France amid probe
Telegram's Durov allowed to leave France amid probe
21 hours ago | Tech
Iran, Bangladesh discuss ways to expand bilateral trade
Iran, Bangladesh discuss ways to expand bilateral trade
15 hours ago | Business
Virat Kohli not ready to retire
Virat Kohli not ready to retire
21 hours ago | Sports
AR Rahman hospitalised
AR Rahman hospitalised
21 hours ago | Entertainment
Millions of Cubans spend second night without electricity
Millions of Cubans spend second night without electricity
19 hours ago | International
Tarique promises trial for killings in 2024 uprising if BNP wins
Tarique promises trial for killings in 2024 uprising if BNP wins
13 hours ago | National