South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday he had noted the “regrettable expulsion” of the country’s ambassador to the United States and urged all stakeholders to maintain “decorum.” “South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America,

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called South Africa’s U.S. ambassador Ebrahim Rasool “a race-baiting politician who hates America” and declared him persona non grata.