The South African government has summoned US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) for the second time in seven months to express displeasure with his "undiplomatic conduct". Bozell has been making public attacks on South Africa's domestic policies, including the "kill the boer, kill the farmer" chant, which the courts have declared does not constitute hate speech.
Bozel's behavior is seen as a departure from traditional diplomatic norms, with his utterances being described as arrogant and condescending, undermining South Africa's sovereignty. His actions have raised concerns in South African foreign affairs circles, with some questioning whether he is intentionally trying to strain diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Bozell has taken over from former US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, who was also seen as a political irritant. Bozell has an impressive resume, but his current behavior has raised questions about his ability to navigate diplomatic relations. The US is a strategic ally of South Africa, and the two countries have a long history of cooperation, dating back to the days of apartheid.
The Black Caucus in Washington has consistently maintained closer ties with the ANC, a former liberation movement that African-Americans largely supported during apartheid. Bozell, however, has been part of a coalition that has opposed the ANC in the past. In 1987, he was part of a coalition that opposed then-US President Ronald Reagan from meeting with ANC President Oliver Tambo.
The US has highlighted several domestic policies in South Africa that they take issue with, including the "kill the boer, kill the farmer" chant, expropriation of land without compensation, and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). Bozell wants US businesses to be exempt from BEE policies. The Trump administration has also declared white Afrikaners victims of genocide in South Africa, a claim that has been disputed by many.
Former South African Ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled from the US after criticizing Trump's domestic policies in a webinar. Rasool was declared persona non grata and was kicked out of Washington within a week. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Roelf Meyer, an Afrikaner, as the new ambassador to Washington, who has publicly stated that there is no such thing as white genocide in South Africa.
The situation has sparked concerns about the future of South Africa-US diplomatic relations, with some calling for Pretoria to take a firmer stance against Bozel's behavior. Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola has articulated Pretoria's position, including South Africa's right to independence of thought and sovereignty.
Key points
- The US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, has been summoned to Dirco twice in seven months for his "undiplomatic conduct".
- Bozel's behavior has strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US, with concerns about his intentions and the impact on bilateral ties.
- The South African government may need to take a firmer stance against Bozel's behavior, similar to what the US did to former Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.
