Political analyst Professor Stephen Friedman has expressed concern over the double standards surrounding the treatment of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool's recent comments in the United States.
IOL reported that Rasool was expelled from the USA on Friday after sharing his opinion on Donald Trump’s presidency during a webinar.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Friedman emphasised that there is no urgency in appointing a new ambassador to Washington, suggesting that South Africa can operate its embassy without one for now.
He argued that rushing to fill the position could send the wrong signal about the country’s diplomatic priorities.
Friedman defended Rasool’s remarks, describing them as "fairly mild" and typical of what ambassadors often express about their host countries.
He noted that Rasool's comments during an academic seminar about US President Trump’s administration "mobilising supremacist sentiment" were not out of line. He pointed to previous instances where US ambassadors have made more critical statements without facing the backlash Rasool received.
Friedman said, "US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken more critically of Trump without facing any consequences, yet Rasool is being heavily criticized for far milder statements."
He criticised the double standard, observing that when US diplomats make unsubstantiated claims against South Africa, such as accusations of gun-running with Russia, they face far less scrutiny.
Regarding the media’s portrayal of Rasool’s comments as a “debacle” or “gaffe,” Friedman argued that these terms unfairly ridiculed the ambassador.
“A debacle means somebody’s made a terrible mistake, and all of this is being used about somebody who was making a talk in Senegal. He didn’t say anything particularly out of his position,” Friedman said.
He further emphasised that South Africa should not allow itself to feel inferior to the US and should stop "grovelling" to American expectations, which, according to him, has caused the country tremendous trouble.
Addressing the broader diplomatic context, Friedman argued that South Africa should not rush into appointing a new ambassador.
''It sends entirely the wrong signal,” he explained.
He added that even without an ambassador, the country’s embassy in Washington can still function effectively. Instead, he suggested that South Africa should focus on strengthening its alliances with other countries, particularly as the US administration currently does not offer a strong diplomatic relationship.
Friedman also dismissed the idea of Joel Pollack becoming the next US ambassador to South Africa. Pollack, who has publicly criticised South Africa's transformation policies, is not the kind of diplomat South Africa should accept, according to Friedman.
“He’s made it quite clear he's not interested in a relationship with this country. He’s here to be hostile to the country,” Friedman said. “We want an American ambassador who wants to engage with the country,” he said.