3rd call from South Africa to the US Ambassador in 9 months: Diplomatic tension is escalating

The Republic of South Africa summoned US Ambassador to Pretoria Leo Brent Bozell III to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the third time in his ninth month in office.

A senior official from the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) stated in a statement to AFP and Reuters news agencies that this official initiative (demarche) carried out yesterday was made to clarify Bozell's attitude that does not comply with diplomatic practices.

The same official stated that it was a record for an ambassador, who started his duty in February, to be called to the ministry three times in nine months.

Bozell was first summoned to the ministry in March, three weeks after he took office, due to his statements that were said to have damaged the South African judiciary and the historical context of the country.

The reason for the recent summoning of the US ambassador to the ministry was the series of interviews he gave to local media targeting the government.

In these interviews, Bozell argued that the Pretoria administration did not adequately address Washington's concerns, and used an impatient tone, stating that the pressure on South Africa could increase.

Diplomatic tension between the two countries deepened after Donald Trump became president of the United States.

South African policies aimed at eliminating the deep inequalities suffered by the black population 30 years after the end of white minority rule are one of the main topics of discussion between the two capitals.

Legal regulations that empower black people, especially in the business world, and reforms regarding the use of lands that are predominantly owned by whites raise objections in Washington.

The Washington administration announced on September 16 that visa restrictions were imposed on people who encourage racial discrimination, incite violence, or pave the way for land expropriation without compensation in South Africa.

The genocide case filed by South Africa against US ally Israel at the International Court of Justice was another foreign policy issue that widened the distance between the parties.

Donald Trump keeps on the agenda allegations that white Afrikaners in South Africa are systematically persecuted.

According to statistics, white South Africans have higher incomes and employment rates on average than black citizens.

After taking office, Trump cut off aid to South Africa, deported South Africa's Ambassador to Washington, and reacted to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he met in the Oval Office.

Washington also launched a special refugee admissions program last year to accept white Afrikaners in the country.

A South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated that the differences between the two countries were discussed within the scope of ongoing negotiations and that the parties were determined to resolve the current issues.

While the Pretoria administration emphasizes that it has the will to continue the dialogue, it reiterates that national sovereignty must be respected and domestic priorities such as redressing historical injustices will not be compromised.