President Donald Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, has told a Senate confirmation hearing that he would take a firm stance against Pretoria’s growing alignment with Washington’s global rivals.
“If confirmed, I will communicate our objections to South Africa’s geostrategic drift from non-alignment toward our competitors, including Russia, China and Iran,” Bozell said.
He also pledged to pressure South Africa to withdraw its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and to urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to end what he described as “lawfare” against Israel.
Bozell acknowledged the strained state of US-South Africa relations, saying President Trump had “serious concerns” about corruption, crime, property rights, and “unfair business practices” that hinder South Africa’s economic growth.
He also outlined several priorities if confirmed, including advancing Trump’s controversial proposal to offer refuge to Afrikaners seeking to “flee unjust racial discrimination.”
“I will support the president’s invitation to Afrikaners and work to ensure that all South Africans can thrive free from the threat of violence,” Bozell said. “I will also advocate for business interests, fair trade, and property rights — opposing expropriation without compensation.”
Bozell emphasized that he aims to “empower South Africa as an engine of economic growth,” while ensuring that US companies can compete on a level playing field.
His comments signal that Washington’s diplomatic approach to Pretoria under Trump’s new administration could be marked by confrontation over South Africa’s foreign policy and domestic economic direction.President Donald Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, has told a Senate confirmation hearing that he would take a firm stance against Pretoria’s growing alignment with Washington’s global rivals.
“If confirmed, I will communicate our objections to South Africa’s geostrategic drift from non-alignment toward our competitors, including Russia, China and Iran,” Bozell said.
He also pledged to pressure South Africa to withdraw its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and to urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to end what he described as “lawfare” against Israel.
Bozell acknowledged the strained state of US-South Africa relations, saying President Trump had “serious concerns” about corruption, crime, property rights, and “unfair business practices” that hinder South Africa’s economic growth.
He also outlined several priorities if confirmed, including advancing Trump’s controversial proposal to offer refuge to Afrikaners seeking to “flee unjust racial discrimination.”
“I will support the president’s invitation to Afrikaners and work to ensure that all South Africans can thrive free from the threat of violence,” Bozell said. “I will also advocate for business interests, fair trade, and property rights — opposing expropriation without compensation.”
Bozell emphasized that he aims to “empower South Africa as an engine of economic growth,” while ensuring that US companies can compete on a level playing field.
His comments signal that Washington’s diplomatic approach to Pretoria under Trump’s new administration could be marked by confrontation over South Africa’s foreign policy and domestic economic direction.