Dirco summons US ambassador Bozell again over ‘undiplomatic conduct’
The South African government has summoned US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for the third time this year over alleged 'undiplomatic conduct.' Tensions remain high due to US rhetoric regarding South African domestic policies and the judiciary.
Why it matters
The diplomatic friction highlights strained bilateral relations between the US and South Africa, complicated by differing views on historical inequality and governance.
South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry called in US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III on Tuesday for a third time over what it describes as “undiplomatic conduct”, a senior government official said — but did not elaborate on what the conduct was.
We can confirm that we demarched Ambassador Bozell. The third demarche since he started his duties nine months ago
“We can confirm that we demarched ambassador Bozell — the third demarche since he started his duties nine months ago,” a senior official at the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) said late on Tuesday.
A demarche is a formal diplomatic protest from one government to another.
A state department spokesperson told Reuters that Bozell went to Dirco to discuss bilateral ties.
“We are not interested in diplomatic manoeuvring, procedural delays or dialogue for dialogue’s sake,” the spokesperson added.
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