By Imraan Buccus
South Africa’s diplomatic crisis with the US has reached a boiling point.
The recent expulsion of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from the United States marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two nations, though one that has been brewing for some time.
The official reason cited for this dramatic step was Rasool's comments during a MISTRA seminar, where he offered a candid assessment of the political character of the MAGA movement, the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach, and its implications for South Africa and the African continent.
Rasool's analysis was fundamentally sound. Where he erred was not in his analysis but in his platform.
Ambassadors serve as official representatives of their nations, and public criticism of host governments— regardless of accuracy—violates the tenets of diplomatic conduct.As South Africa's representative to the United States, Rasool's role required him to navigate disagreements through private channels, not public forums.
His decision to air these views in a seminar, however academic the setting, provided the perfect pretext for action by an administration already looking for one.
It would be naïve, however, to view this expulsion solely through the lens of diplomatic protocol.
The Trump administration's decision comes after months of deteriorating relations, with the real catalyst being South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
South Africa's principled stance on Gaza, while aligned with international law and humanitarian principles, placed it directly at odds with one of the United States' closest allies.
Growing connections between white right-wing elements in both countries have exacerbated tensions.
American conservative media outlets have for years amplified misleading narratives about South Africa, particularly regarding land reform and rural security issues.
These narratives, propagated by white nationalist groups in both countries, have found receptive audiences in certain political circles in Washington.
The result has been a growing ideological divide that makes diplomatic navigation increasingly treacherous. The expulsion, therefore, is not simply a response to a diplomatic faux pas but rather the culmination of ideological and geopolitical tensions that have been mounting since the Trump administration took office.
Rasool's comments merely provided a convenient justification for a decision likely already contemplated. In the face of this provocation, South Africa's response has been admirably restrained.
While the government expressed "deep concern" over the expulsion and characterised it as "unwarranted," it has resisted the temptation of tit-for-tat escalation.
This measured approach reflects a mature understanding of South Africa's position in the current global order.
The statement from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation emphasised the country's commitment to maintaining diplomatic channels even amid disagreement—precisely the approach that should guide the nation through this turbulent period.
This restraint should not be misconstrued as weakness. Rather, it demonstrates the kind of strategic patience that South Africa will need to in an increasingly complex global landscape.
The country's renewed moral authority on the world stage derives in part from its own struggle against oppression as well as its principled position on the destruction of Gaza.
Abandoning principled positions for short-term diplomatic convenience would undermine this hard-won moral capital. South Africa now finds itself at a crossroads.
While the United States remains an important economic and strategic partner, the current rupture necessitates a recalibration of South Africa's diplomatic strategy.
Fortunately, shifting global dynamics offer opportunities for new and strengthened partnerships. The European Union has emerged as a particularly promising ally.
The recent EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership, which pledged over €4.5 billion in investments focusing on green transition, digital transformation, and sustainable growth, signals Europe's recognition of South Africa's strategic importance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored this commitment during her visit to Pretoria last year, stating: "South Africa is the European Union's most important strategic partner in Africa.
Together, we want to build a more prosperous, more sustainable and more secure future for all our citizens."Unlike the increasingly transactional approach from Washington, the EU partnership emphasizes shared values and mutually beneficial cooperation.
While not explicitly endorsing South Africa's ICJ case, the EU has increasingly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with High Representative Josep Borrell stating in March 2025: "The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and requires immediate cessation of hostilities."
This growing convergence on humanitarian concerns, even if not full alignment on legal approaches, demonstrates potential for cooperation on principled international issues.
EU's multilateral approach to international relations creates space for productive engagement even amid some policy differences. Beyond Europe, South Africa must continue strengthening its partnerships within BRICS and across the Global South.
The expansion of BRICS to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates creates new opportunities for South-South cooperation outside Western-dominated frameworks. These relationships will be crucial for building economic resilience against potential retaliatory measures from the United States, particularly concerning trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
South Africa's current presidency of the G20 presents a particularly timely opportunity to demonstrate its diplomatic maturity and global leadership. This platform allows South Africa to shape agenda-setting on critical global issues including climate finance, debt sustainability, and global economic governance reform.
By effectively leveraging this position, South Africa can build coalitions around shared challenges facing the Global South while establishing itself as a bridge-builder between developed and developing nations.
The G20 presidency provides a unique moment to advance South Africa's vision for a more equitable global order while showcasing its commitment to multilateral solutions—precisely when its bilateral relationship with the United States is under strain.Even as South Africa recalibrates its international partnerships, it should not abandon engagement with the United States entirely.
The diplomatic rupture with the Trump administration should not be conflated with a rupture with America as a whole.
Progressive forces within the United States—including civil society organizations, academic institutions, and certain political factions—remain natural allies for South Africa on issues ranging from climate justice to global inequality. South Africa would be well served by deepening these connections while official diplomatic channels remain strained.
University partnerships, civil society exchanges, and cultural diplomacy can maintain people-to-people relationships even as government-to-government ties cool. These connections could prove invaluable in rebuilding official relationships in the future.
Moreover, South African diplomats should maintain quiet channels of communication with career officials in the State Department and other agencies.
These career diplomats often provide continuity amid political transitions and can help prevent further deterioration in relations.
As South Africa navigates these troubled diplomatic waters, it must balance principle with pragmatism.
The country cannot and should not abandon its commitment to international law, human rights and justice—core values embedded in its own constitution. South Africa's stance on Gaza, grounded in these principles, deserves to be maintained despite diplomatic pressure.
At the same time, pragmatic considerations require strategic patience and careful calibration of responses. Inflammatory rhetoric or hasty retaliatory measures would only deepen the current crisis without advancing South Africa's strategic interests.
The government's measured response thus far suggests an understanding of this delicate balance. This is South Africa’s moment to stand firm.
The world is watching.
**Dr Imraan Buccus is senior research associate at ASRI and research fellow at the University of the Free State.
*** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those or Independent Media or IOL.
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