Regarding the diplomatic disagreement between the two nations, the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, has been summoned by South African authorities to provide an explanation for his recent remarks.
“While South Africa welcomes active public diplomacy and the strengthening of bilateral ties, we emphasize that such engagements must remain consistent with established diplomatic etiquette and international protocols,” Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told a press conference.
“In this regard, we have called in the ambassador of the United States, Ambassador Bozell, to explain his undiplomatic remarks.”
This new development, as seen in the Boston Herald, follows the ambassador’s revelation of U.S. sentiments towards South Africa’s geopolitical stance and management of the disputes between White South Africans and the natives.
What the U.S. ambassador said
On Tuesday, during a meeting with business leaders, Bozell noted that America is losing its patience with South Africa.
He explained that the United States’ recent grievances with South Africa stem from the African country’s refusal to adhere to the following demands: to condemn the “Kill the Boer” slogan, reconsider the Expropriation Act and widespread Black Economic Empowerment, maintain a non-aligned stance, and prioritize farm killings that disproportionately affect white farmers.
“As I’ve made clear in meetings I’ve had, the U.S. is running out of patience. We believe more and more it becomes a statement by the South African government when it doesn’t want to respond to simple questions we have,” he stated.
“Insulting our president on the eve of coming to our country is not a good sign. Sending condolence letters to Iran after one of the world’s greatest terrorists has been put down, it’s not a good sign,” Brent added, in reference to South Africa’s message of condolence after Iranian leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes.
Furthermore, the U.S. ambassador stated that America is requesting clarification regarding “Kill the Boer,” which he considers to be hate speech. “I’m sorry, I don’t care what your courts say. It’s hate speech,” he said.
