The United States ambassador to South Africa has sharply criticised the South African government, warning that tensions between the two countries could lead to difficult discussions in the near future.
Speaking at a conference in Cape Town, Brent Bozell III accused Pretoria of making statements and taking actions that he believes have strained relations with United States and its allies.
Addressing delegates at the BizNews Conference, Bozell said recent developments had not helped improve diplomatic ties, as reported by ENCA.
‘The things that have happened in the last week are not at all helpful,’ he said, adding that criticism directed at the American president before a planned visit to the United States had been viewed negatively.
Bozell also took issue with South Africa sending condolences following the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was killed during joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, after which South Africa sent a message expressing sympathy to Iran.
The ambassador criticised that move, saying the message was sent after ‘one of the world’s greatest terrorists has been put down’.
The condolence gesture also included a visit by Nomvula Mokonyane, who on 5 March led a delegation from the African National Congress to the Iranian embassy in Pretoria.
Bozell said his diplomatic mission had been clearly outlined by Donald Trump.
According to the ambassador, Trump had asked him to push for South Africa to return to what he described as a neutral position in global politics.
‘He said, ‘I want South Africa to become nonaligned once again’. That’s not too much to ask,’ Bozell said.
He added that he arrived in the country with the intention of easing tensions between the two governments rather than escalating them.
‘I didn’t come here to pick a fight,’ he said, explaining that his goal was to find ways for both nations to resume constructive dialogue.
However, Bozell warned that the events of the past week could make that process more difficult.
During his remarks, the ambassador also referenced the words of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. while discussing the current state of policy and legislation in South Africa.
He suggested that the country’s business sector should revisit the direction it took in the mid-1990s.
According to Bozell, returning to the spirit that existed around 1995 could help the country focus on healing divisions and moving forward.
‘I think it would be wise for the business community to return to 1995 where it seemed like there was a desire for this country not just to heal its wounds but to move forward,’ he said.
He encouraged business leaders to reflect on the country’s identity during that period and promote those values in the future.
‘Don’t get caught playing by the rules of those who want to divide and conquer,’ Bozell said, urging companies to focus on the vision they believe South Africa should represent.
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