South Africa Summons US Ambassador Over ‘Undiplomatic Conduct’

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has summoned U.S. Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for the third time since he assumed office, over what it described as “undiplomatic conduct”.

A senior DIRCO official confirmed the latest diplomatic protest, known as a demarche, but did not disclose the specific conduct that prompted the action.

“We can confirm that we demarched Ambassador Bozell. The third demarche since he started his duties nine months ago,” the official said.

A démarche is a formal diplomatic protest by one government to another.

The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while the U.S. State Department acknowledged receiving questions and said it would respond later.

Relations between South Africa and the United States have become strained over several issues, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that white South Africans face systemic persecution.

South Africa has rejected such claims, while government policies criticised by Trump are aimed at addressing inequalities that remain from the apartheid era.

Bozell, who arrived in Pretoria as Trump’s envoy in February, was first summoned within weeks of taking up his post over remarks that DIRCO said undermined South Africa’s judiciary and historical context.

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In recent interviews with local media, the ambassador has adopted a firmer tone, saying Pretoria had not adequately addressed Washington’s concerns and warning that further pressure could follow.

Two weeks ago, the United States announced visa restrictions affecting some South Africans, adding to tensions between the two countries.

South Africa has said it remains willing to engage in dialogue with Washington but insists that its sovereignty and domestic priorities, including efforts to address historical injustices, must be respected.

“The issues related to the bilateral relations between the two countries are a subject of ongoing discussions. There is commitment from both sides to resolve the outstanding matters,” the DIRCO official said.