New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks

The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.

A official objection – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.

He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Controversy

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's judiciary.

He subsequently walked back his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.

Officials Responds Publicly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the relationship between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', Lamola said.

''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Broader Diplomatic Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on trade, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.

Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's minority white population and criticising its land reform plans.

The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.

Tensions deepened last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.