The remarks, made during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute, have been cited as the primary reason for the expulsion.

Bruce criticised Rasool's statements, which reportedly equated the US with white supremacy, as failing to meet the diplomatic standards necessary to foster a constructive relationship between the two nations.

"If we don't have a standard about the nature of someone who is in this country, who is supposed to be a diplomat to help facilitate the relationship between two countries, and this is the standard of it... we deserve better," Bruce stated.

She further emphasised that the US has maintained a "decent level of diplomacy" with SA despite existing challenges. However, Rasool's remarks were deemed unacceptable not only to the US government but also to the American public. "These remarks cast our country in an awful light," Bruce added.

--Sherwin Bryce-Pease/ChannelAfrica--