DIRCO expects full debrief from Ambassador Rasool in wake of expulsion from US

CAPE TOWN - The Department of International Relations (DIRCO) expects a full debrief from Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool upon his return.

Rasool became the first South African ambassador to be expelled from a posting.

READ: Ramaphosa awaits full report from expelled ambassador Rasool upon return

Ministerial spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said it was too early to judge Rasool’s comments about United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administration, made at a seminar of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection.

Phiri said Rasool was not being hung out to dry, as the government steers clear of defending his remarks about white supremacy.

Despite the frosty response South Africa has received from the US administration since Donald Trump became president, the international relations department said Rasool was making inroads into getting an audience at the White House.

Phiri said he would have received a date for a meeting on Thursday.

But instead, after just two months, Rasool has been ordered to leave the US by Friday.

"It’s important for us to debrief him to understand how he saw this and what could have transpired from his perspective before we venture a definitive view around these things."

Phiri said recommendations for Rasool’s replacement would only follow after this debrief.

Despite his expulsion from the US, Phiri said Rasool remained an ambassador contracted to the department, and his future was yet to be determined.

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