The United States Senate has confirmed media critic and conservative activist Leo Bozell as Washington’s next ambassador to South Africa, filling a post that has remained vacant for nearly a year during a period of growing diplomatic tension between the two countries.
Bozell’s nomination moved through several legislative stages, including a hearing before the Senate’s foreign relations committee in October, before being put to a full Senate vote this week, as per EWN.
Coverage of the process notes that concerns were raised early on due to Bozell’s history as a vocal critic of the African National Congress during the apartheid era.
As outlined in parliamentary proceedings, these concerns formed part of a broader debate about the direction of US diplomacy towards South Africa under the current administration.
The ambassadorial role has been unfilled since January, following the resignation of Reuben Brigety ahead of the Trump administration taking office. Since March, the US embassy in Pretoria has been led by acting head of mission David Green.
This leadership gap coincided with heightened tensions, including the recall of South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, earlier this year after he criticised Trump’s leadership style. Rasool has not yet been replaced.
Bozell’s confirmation comes against a backdrop of friction between the two countries. Relations were further tested after President Trump repeated false claims of a genocide in South Africa and publicly invited white Afrikaners to seek refuge in the United States.
The diplomatic chill was also reflected in Washington’s limited participation in G20 events hosted by South Africa this year.
Trump has since stated that South Africa would not be welcome in the US next year for G20-related meetings.
During his October hearing, Bozell outlined how he would approach the role if confirmed.
He said he would convey US objections to South Africa’s non-aligned stance towards Russia, Iran and China, and would press Pretoria to withdraw its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
‘When South African politicians greet as friends those who seek to destabilise the world’s peace and security, then common ground between our two countries feels harder to find,’ Bozell said.
However, when questioned by a Democratic senator, Bozell stopped short of confirming whether he personally believed claims that a genocide is unfolding in South Africa.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs arrested and deported seven Kenyan nationals who were reportedly involved in processing refugee applications for Afrikaners seeking asylum in the United States.
The incident added another layer to an already complex diplomatic moment.
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