The South African government has summoned the United States ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell III, for the third time since he assumed office, in the latest sign of strained relations between Pretoria and Washington.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed that Bozell was subjected to a formal diplomatic protest, known as a demarche, over what the government described as “undiplomatic conduct.” Officials did not provide specific details of the conduct that prompted the latest action.
A senior DIRCO official told Reuters that this was the third time Bozell had been summoned since beginning his duties in South Africa about nine months ago. The official described it as a record number of such diplomatic protests involving the ambassador during his relatively short period in the country.
The latest summons comes amid broader disagreements between the two countries over South Africa’s domestic policies and foreign relations. Washington has raised concerns about issues including South Africa’s land policies, Black economic empowerment legislation, rural crime and the controversial “Kill the Boer” chant.
Bozell has been particularly outspoken about the US position. In a recent opinion article, he argued that Washington had become frustrated with what it regarded as insufficient responses from Pretoria to its concerns. He also criticised the South African government over its handling of several issues that the US considers important to bilateral relations.
South Africa, however, has rejected what it considers attempts to interfere in its domestic affairs. The government has maintained that it is willing to continue discussions with the United States but expects its sovereignty and domestic priorities to be respected.
The diplomatic disagreement also comes against the background of comments by US President Donald Trump concerning the treatment of white South Africans. Pretoria has rejected Trump’s claims of systematic persecution of white South Africans, while maintaining that policies such as land reform and Black economic empowerment are intended to address inequalities that remain from the apartheid era.
The United States has also recently imposed visa restrictions on some South Africans, adding another issue to the growing list of disagreements between the two governments.
Despite the tensions, South Africa’s foreign ministry said both countries remain committed to resolving outstanding issues through discussions. The US State Department similarly said Bozell’s meeting with DIRCO was focused on bilateral relations.
The latest development highlights the difficulties facing diplomatic relations between two countries that have historically maintained significant political, economic and trade ties.
For now, both governments continue to indicate that dialogue remains possible, although disagreements over domestic policy, foreign affairs and diplomatic conduct remain unresolved.
