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South Africa Summons U.S. Ambassador Over Undiplomatic Remarks
Ambassador Bozell criticized South African policies and courts, prompting a formal protest and apology amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
- On March 11, South Africa summoned U.S. Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III to Pretoria to explain his 'undiplomatic remarks' made at a business meeting in Hermanus on Tuesday.
- On Tuesday, Bozell criticised a court ruling that found the 'Kill the Boer' chant was not hate speech and challenged affirmative action laws, Iran ties, and land rules.
- Meeting with officials, Zane Dangor said the ambassador apologised and expressed regret, including for comments that appeared to undermine the judiciary; Bozell later posted on X clarifying his remarks reflected his personal view and the U.S. government respects South Africa's judiciary.
- A formal demarche was issued by the South African government, taking Bozell's comments 'with a very dim view', deepening a rift affecting about $15 billion in trade and around 500 American companies.
- Amid the spat, Lamola reiterated South Africa's non-aligned stance, saying, 'We remain steadfast in our resistance to being drawn into great-power rivalries, prioritising instead, a global governance system that is fair and inclusive.
47 Articles
47 Articles
South Africa: U.S. Ambassador Apologises for Remarks Following Meeting With Dirco
[SAnews.gov.za] The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that the United States Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell has apologised and expressed regret over remarks that were viewed as undiplomatic following a meeting with government officials.
SA urged to toe the line as Bozell tones down voice
With the United States demanding its outstanding issues from South Africa, the country is facing a conundrum – to toe the line and benefit economically from the US, or to reject and get ostracised by the superpower. Political and international relations analyst Jan Venter from North-West University said the best is for South Africa to play the international game of give and take, emulating India’s approach. Venter said India is an ally of Americ…
As soon as he arrived in Pretoria, the new ambassador of the United States provoked controversy by criticizing certain South African policies. Leo Brent Bozell III was summoned by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after statements deemed to be contrary to diplomatic practice.
South Africa summons new U.S. ambassador to explain criticism as rift deepens
Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III was summoned after speaking at a meeting of business leaders on Tuesday, where he challenged the South African government over its diplomatic ties with Iran and its affirmative action laws.
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