South Africa's Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has summoned US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for a third time, citing "undiplomatic conduct". A senior government official confirmed the demarche, but did not provide details on the specific conduct that led to the summons. This is the third time Bozell has been called in since taking up his post nine months ago.
The demarche is a formal diplomatic protest from one government to another. Dirco did not elaborate on the reasons behind the summons, but it is understood that the issues are related to the bilateral relations between the two countries. The US embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while the US state department acknowledged receipt of questions and said it would respond later.
Relations between South Africa and the US have been strained due to US President Donald Trump's repeated false claims that white South Africans face systemic persecution. Trump's comments have been criticized by the South African government, which says they are intended to address inequalities that persist from the apartheid era. Bozell, a conservative activist and writer, arrived in Pretoria as Trump's envoy in February.
Bozell was first called in within weeks of taking up his post over remarks that Dirco said undermined South Africa's judiciary and historical context. In recent interviews with local media, the ambassador has adopted a firmer and impatient tone, saying that Pretoria had not adequately addressed Washington's concerns and that further pressure could follow.
The US recently unveiled visa restrictions on some South Africans, which has added to the tensions between the two countries. Despite this, South Africa has maintained a willingness to engage in talks, but says its sovereignty must be respected and it will not compromise on domestic priorities like addressing historical injustices.
A senior official at Dirco said that the issues related to bilateral relations are a subject of ongoing discussions, and that there is a commitment from both sides to resolve outstanding matters. The official did not provide a timeline for the resolution of these issues, but said that both countries are working to address their differences.
The situation highlights the delicate nature of diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US. While both countries are committed to resolving their differences, the recent summons and visa restrictions have added to the tensions. The South African government has reiterated its commitment to engaging with the US, while also defending its sovereignty and domestic priorities.
Key points
- South Africa's Dirco has summoned US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for a third time over 'undiplomatic conduct'.
- The summons is related to strained relations between the two countries, fueled by US President Donald Trump's comments on South Africa.
- Despite tensions, both countries are committed to resolving outstanding matters through ongoing discussions.
