US expels South African ambassador after Trump criticism

United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has announced that President Donald Trump’s administration is expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington.

Rubio announced this on Friday, accusing the envoy of hating the country and President Trump.

“South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio posted on X.

“Ebrahim Rasool is “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS,” he said, referring to Trump by his White House X account handle.

“We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”

The expulsion of the ambassador comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria.

Trump in February this year froze US aid to South Africa, citing a law in the country that he alleges allows land to be seized from white farmers.

Trump further fueled tensions last week, when he said that South Africa’s farmers were welcome to settle in the United States after repeating his allegation that the government was “confiscating” land from white people.

US expels South African ambassador after Trump criticism

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    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched an investigation into the alleged financial misappropriation in the Kaduna State Light Rail Project during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The investigation was initiated following a petition by M. Yahaya, a lawyer from NUS’ AB Chambers, Abuja. The petition, dated June
    ICPC begins investigation on alleged N11.1bn misappropriation of Kaduna light rail project

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched an investigation into the alleged financial misappropriation in the Kaduna State Light Rail Project during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    The investigation was initiated following a petition by M. Yahaya, a lawyer from NUS’ AB Chambers, Abuja. The petition, dated June 27, 2024, and received by the commission on July 1, 2024, accused officials of the previous administration of mismanaging state funds through a purported joint venture agreement with Indo Kaduna Mrts JV Nigeria Limited.

    According to documents reviewed by the ICPC, the Kaduna State Government signed the agreement on October 18, 2016, for the construction of a light rail system. However, the company had not been incorporated at the time. Despite this, its promoters opened a bank account at Sterling Bank on December 15, 2016, and within a month, the account received N11.1 billion from various Kaduna State Government accounts.

    The ICPC stated that the payments, approved by then-Governor El-Rufai, were made in tranches, with an initial deposit of N890.3 million from the Kaduna State Treasury on December 23, 2016. Additional payments of N2.3 billion and N7.9 billion followed in January 2017. However, investigators found no evidence that the rail project was executed.

    Reacting to the ICPC’s claims, former members of the Kaduna State Executive Council (2015–2023) rejected allegations of financial mismanagement, describing the commission’s move to seize N1.3 billion as unjustified.

    In a statement, the former officials explained that the light rail project was conceived in 2015 as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with Indian firm Skipper securing the contract. The state reportedly committed 15% of the estimated $600–700 million project cost, while seeking an 85% loan from India’s EXIM Bank.

    They further disclosed that a feasibility study, conducted by French firm Systra and GTA Engineering, cost $2.8 million (N890 million) and was duly approved by the state government. According to them, the project stalled when the federal government declined to provide a sovereign guarantee, leading to a recall of funds. A forensic audit later confirmed the refunds, they said.

    The former officials accused the ICPC of bypassing due process, acting under the influence of the current Kaduna State Government, and pursuing an unjustified forfeiture. They argued that all transactions were legal, transparent, and properly documented.

    “The commission initially alleged that N13 billion was missing before forcing Sterling Bank to deposit N1.3 billion—including the feasibility study cost and accrued interest—into an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria,” they stated.

    On the allegation that payments were made into the account of a company not yet registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the officials contended that there were differing opinions on whether to use a limited liability company registered with the CAC or one established by the State House of Assembly.

    They warned that the ICPC’s actions could deter foreign investment and undermine confidence in public-private partnerships in Nigeria.

    The investigation is ongoing, with the ICPC expected to determine the extent of financial impropriety and whether further legal actions will be taken against those involved.

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    Rivers crisis: Let nobody deceive you, Fubara not Ijaw man – Wike

    The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said that Governor Similayi Fubara is not an Ijaw man. Wike stated this while addressing a large number of Kalabari people at a reception organized for him on Saturday. Recall that Wike had recently claimed that an Ijaw man would not have become governor in
    Rivers crisis: Let nobody deceive you, Fubara not Ijaw man – Wike

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    Wike stated this while addressing a large number of Kalabari people at a reception organized for him on Saturday.

    Recall that Wike had recently claimed that an Ijaw man would not have become governor in Rivers State without his support, talking about Fubara.

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    The statement came amid the ongoing political crisis in the Rivers State, with Wike and Fubara at the center of the feud.

    In the same interview, Wike said that people from the Opobo clan of Rivers State, where the governor comes from, are not real Ijaw people.

    Speaking to the Kalabaris on Saturday, Wike was more direct, saying, “Let nobody deceive you that the governor is Ijaw; he is not. All of you are Ijaw; are you benefiting? Politics is interest.

    “We must come up to say people must not behave and treat people, used and dump them and then you say it’s politics. That politics has to stop.”

    Rivers crisis: Let nobody deceive you, Fubara not Ijaw man – Wike

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