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,

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday said that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States “is no longer welcome in our great country.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had lashed out on social media over comments critical of President Trump that the ambassador had made to a think tank in Johannesburg.