New US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments
The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.
A official objection – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.
He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.
Business Meeting Speech Sparks Dispute
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.
One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary.
He later retreated his position, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.
Officials Reacts Publicly
At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', Lamola said.
''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Wider Diplomatic Tensions
Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's minority white population and criticising its land reform plans.
The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.
Tensions deepened last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
