The South African government has called in US Ambassador Brent Bozell to explain his undiplomatic conduct for the third time since he arrived nine months ago. A foreign ministry official confirmed this on Wednesday, stating that Bozell was summoned to the foreign ministry on Tuesday. This recent summons comes after Bozell published an opinion piece accusing the government of hostility.
Bozell took up his post in February with bilateral ties between South Africa and the US already strained over various issues. These issues include South Africa's genocide case against US ally Israel and former US President Donald Trump's claims that white Afrikaners are being persecuted. The relationship between the two countries has been tense, with disagreements over policies such as black empowerment in business and land ownership.
The US and South Africa have clashed over several policies aimed at redressing inequalities that black people still face 30 years after the end of white-minority rule. Washington announced restrictions on visas for South Africans who promote "race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation" in mid-September. This move further strained the already tense relationship between the two nations.
The bilateral ties nosedived after Trump took over, with the US leader cutting aid, expelling the South African ambassador, and berating President Cyril Ramaphosa over discredited claims of a "white genocide". The US launched a special programme to take in thousands of white Afrikaners who claim to be targets of persecution and rural crime in South Africa. These differences are a subject of ongoing discussions between the two countries.
A senior foreign ministry official stated that there is a commitment from both sides to resolve the outstanding matters. However, Bozell expressed frustration in an opinion piece published on the US embassy website, stating that it is a "useless proposition to continue with endless dialogue leading nowhere". He said Washington had run out of patience with Pretoria due to its failure to respond adequately to certain demands.
Bozell was first summoned by the government in March, just three weeks after taking up his post, over comments on the anti-apartheid chant "Kill the Boer". The chant is considered controversial in South Africa and is used rarely by a minority, radical left-wing group. The courts have ruled that it does not constitute hate speech and should be considered in the context of the struggle against white-minority rule.
The South African government has maintained that it will not bow to US attempts to interfere with its sovereign right to manage its internal affairs. Bozell said the South African government does not want a constructive relationship with the United States and expressed hope that the government will rethink its hostility. The two countries continue to engage in discussions to resolve their differences.
Key points
- The South African government has summoned US Ambassador Brent Bozell for the third time in nine months to explain his undiplomatic conduct.
- The relationship between South Africa and the US has been strained over various issues, including policies on black empowerment and land ownership.
- The two countries continue to engage in discussions to resolve their differences, with a commitment from both sides to find a resolution.
