South Africa summons US ambassador for third time over conduct

South Africa has summoned US Ambassador Brent Bozell for the third time since he began his posting nine months ago, a senior foreign ministry official said on Wednesday. The official said Bozell was called to the foreign ministry on Tuesday to explain what Pretoria described as “undiplomatic conduct”. The summons followed an opinion article published by the ambassador and a series of critical media interviews.

The latest dispute adds to strained relations between the two countries. Their disagreements include South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, which is supported by Washington, and US President Donald Trump’s claims that white Afrikaners face persecution in South Africa. Washington and Pretoria also differ over South African policies intended to address racial and economic inequalities that remain more than three decades after the end of white-minority rule.

These include laws concerning black empowerment in business and land ownership. The United States announced visa restrictions in September against South Africans who promote what it described as race-based discrimination, incite violence or enable land confiscation without compensation. South Africa has disputed the issues and said it would not accept US interference in its sovereign affairs.

In his opinion article, Bozell said Washington had run out of patience because Pretoria had not responded adequately to several demands. These included condemnation of the “Kill the Boer” chant, greater attention to rural crime and alternatives to black-equity rules in the telecommunications and mining sectors. The South African official said differences remained under discussion and that both sides were committed to resolving outstanding matters.

Bozell, however, accused the government of hostility and said continued dialogue was not producing results. The two countries have also clashed over aid, ambassadorial appointments and US criticism of South Africa’s domestic policies.