South Africa-US relations are facing renewed diplomatic strain after the US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, was called in by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for the third time in nine months.
A senior International Relations official confirmed that Bozell was demarched to explain what the department described as “undiplomatic conduct”.
Despite the repeated diplomatic interventions, the official said both countries remained committed to resolving outstanding bilateral issues.
The latest development comes against the backdrop of a series of disagreements between South Africa and the United States, highlighting the challenges facing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Earlier this year, Bozell apologised and withdrew remarks he had made about the “Kill the Boer” chant after previously condemning it as hate speech at a BizNews conference in Hermanus, in the Western Cape.
The incident added to diplomatic tensions and prompted further engagement between South African and US officials.
The latest demarche signals continued efforts by DIRCO to address areas of disagreement through diplomatic channels, while maintaining dialogue on broader bilateral relations.
With both governments indicating a commitment to resolving outstanding issues, attention is now focused on whether continued diplomatic engagement can ease tensions and strengthen relations between South Africa and the United States.