The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) strongly condemns the United States government’s declaration of South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, as persona non grata. This outrageous act is a blatant attack on South Africa’s sovereignty and an attempt to bully our country into submission to US imperialist interests. The decision, executed under the directive of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marks yet another act of hostility from the Trump administration against South Africa.
SAFTU recognizes this action as part of a broader campaign of economic and diplomatic coercion by the US, which seeks to punish South Africa for its principled stance on Palestine, BRICS cooperation, and its rejection of Western hegemony. The US has long used diplomatic and economic pressure to dictate terms to sovereign nations, and this latest move is an escalation of its neo-colonial agenda.
The Trump administration’s expulsion of Ambassador Rasool is not an isolated incident but part of an all-out war on South Africa that includes:
• Suspension of Critical Financial Aid – Earlier this year, the Trump administration unilaterally cut funding for essential programs, including those combating HIV/AIDS, in an attempt to exert economic pressure on South Africa.
• Support for White Minority Farmers – The US has controversially offered citizenship to disenfranchised white Afrikaner farmers, undermining South Africa’s land reform efforts and emboldening reactionary forces opposed to transformation.
• Economic and Trade Threats – The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened South Africa’s participation in AGOA, using trade as a weapon to force policy changes.
• Diplomatic Hostility – Ambassador Rasool’s expulsion follows his criticism of Trump’s policies, proving that the US seeks to suppress any opposition to its imperialist agenda.
We firmly stand with the people of South Africa in rejecting any foreign interference in our domestic and international affairs. The US has no moral authority to lecture or punish South Africa while it continues to support apartheid Israel, wage wars across the world, and exploit workers globally.
SAFTU DEMANDS A STRONG RESPONSE FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT
SAFTU calls on the South African government to respond decisively by:
• Summoning the US ambassador to account for this hostile action;
• Reassessing South Africa’s trade and diplomatic relations with the US, particularly in light of AGOA;
• Strengthening alliances with BRICS and other Global South nations to counter Western imperialism.
Furthermore, SAFTU calls on all progressive forces, workers, and civil society movements to mobilize against imperialist aggression. The working class will not be intimidated by US imperialism, and we reaffirm our commitment to a multipolar world order that prioritizes people before profits, justice before exploitation, and peace before war.
SAFTU stands in solidarity with the oppressed people of the world and urges the South African government to resist these pressures with unwavering determination. An injury to one is an injury to all!
A Statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU by General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For more details, contact the National Spokesperson at:
Newton Masuku
066 168 2157
Newtonm@saftu.org.za
