Calls for Parliament to deal with US ambassador’s ‘undiplomatic’ comments

US ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell hands over copies of his letters of credence to the department of international relations and cooperation’s acting Chief of State Protocol, Clayson Monyela. Picture: Dirco The EFF is calling for the portfolio committee on international relations to urgently meet to discuss the controversial remarks made by Leo Brent Bozell, the United States (US) ambassador to South Africa. This comes after Bozell publicly disagreed with court rulings on the legality of the“Kill the Boer”chant.

He also slammed Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and questioned its effectiveness, adding that the US has differences with South Africa over international legal proceedings, strategic relationships, and aspects of domestic policy. At a conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, on Tuesday, Bozell said relations between the US and South Africa could improve if several conditions are met. “Protecting rural communities from violence, condemning rhetoric that incites hatred and glorifies violence, ensuring that the expropriation policies include fair and clear compensation standards, expanding digital and critical minerals cooperation, and ending mandatory surrender of ownership or control of corporate decision-making at the cost of doing business.” In a letter to the speaker of parliament, EFF MP Nqobile Mhlongo said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola must explain to the oversight committee how Bozell’s credentials were approved.

“We therefore write to formally request that the portfolio committee on international relations and cooperation convene an urgent special meeting with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to account to parliament on the circumstances, particularly in light of his prior record of statements relating to South Africa and its domestic affairs. “Such a meeting is necessary to ensure that parliament exercises its oversight responsibility and to determine the appropriate diplomatic response to this matter,” said Mhlongo. Mhlongo described Bozell’s attitude towards South Africa as unbecoming of a diplomatic representative accredited to a sovereign nation.

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“Hisremarks reflect a continuation of a colonial posturethat seeks to discipline sovereign states into submission and suggest that South Africa’s sovereignty is conditional upon obedience to the interests of the United States. “Conduct of this nature undermines diplomatic norms and cannot be taken lightly,” said Mhlongo.

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