South Africa's Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has summoned US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for a third time since he took up his post in February. A senior government official confirmed that a formal diplomatic protest, known as a demarche, was made to the ambassador on Tuesday, but did not provide details on the nature of the conduct that led to the summons.
The demarche is the latest development in strained relations between South Africa and the US, which have been exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's repeated claims that white South Africans face systemic persecution. Trump's comments have been widely criticized, and South Africa's government has defended its policies aimed at addressing historical inequalities.
Ambassador Bozell, a conservative activist and writer, has been at the center of the controversy, having previously made remarks that Dirco said undermined South Africa's judiciary and historical context. The US embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the US state department acknowledged receipt of questions and said it would respond later.
Relations between the two countries have been tense since Bozell took up his post, with the ambassador adopting a firmer and more impatient tone in recent interviews with local media. Bozell said 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 has emphasized that its sovereignty must be respected and that it will not compromise on domestic priorities like addressing historical injustices.
A senior Dirco official said that the issues related to bilateral relations between the two countries were the subject of ongoing discussions, and that there was a commitment from both sides to resolve outstanding matters. The official did not provide a timeline for the talks or indicate what specific issues needed to be resolved.
The situation highlights the challenges facing diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US, with both countries seeking to address their concerns while maintaining a working relationship. The talks are expected to continue, with both sides committed to finding a resolution to the outstanding issues.
Key points
- South Africa's foreign affairs ministry has summoned US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for a third time over 'undiplomatic conduct'.
- The summons is the latest development in strained relations between South Africa and the US.
- Both sides have committed to ongoing discussions to resolve outstanding matters.
