U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III has responded to the country’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, accusing him of personally insulting him after Lamola suggested that the ambassador should leave his position if he could no longer engage in diplomacy and dialogue.
The exchange comes as relations between the United States and South Africa remain strained. South Africa recently issued Bozell a third diplomatic warning, accusing him of conduct inconsistent with diplomatic principles and of publicly criticizing the government.
In a post on X, Bozell described Lamola’s remarks as a personal attack and argued that such conduct contributes to worsening relations between the two countries.
“Here we go again. Minister Lamola has once again personally insulted an American official, this time me. When I object, as I am doing now, it will be followed by a diplomatic demarche. Then the South African government will wonder why the relationship is falling apart,” Bozell wrote.
Bozell was responding to comments Lamola made to the Sunday Times, in which the minister said an ambassador should not claim that the time for dialogue had ended because negotiations are central to diplomatic work.
“It is not appropriate for a diplomat to say that the time for dialogue is over. Our job is to talk. So if you are a diplomat who cannot talk and engage in dialogue, leave the job,” Lamola said.
The minister also accused Bozell of interfering in South Africa’s domestic politics.
“He has demonstrated conduct that is highly inconsistent with the principles of diplomacy. As a diplomat, you cannot interfere in the domestic politics of the country that is hosting you. That is the first principle of diplomacy. And clearly, through his conduct and public activities, he is interfering in our domestic politics,” Lamola said.
Bozell’s latest diplomatic warning followed remarks he made about what Lamola described as false claims of a “white genocide,” as well as comments the ambassador made during a meeting with the AfriForum organization in September.
During that meeting, Bozell said the United States was “tired of all the talking” and had lost patience with the South African government.
Lamola said South Africa would continue taking action against any diplomat who violates the principles governing diplomatic responsibilities.
“Bad behaviour remains bad behaviour. It has to be addressed. It does not matter who displays it. Whether it comes from him or from Washington, it is behaviour that is inappropriate for a diplomat,” he said.
Lamola also referred to the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s former ambassador to the United States, saying Washington removed him without first issuing a diplomatic warning.
“You will remember that in Washington our ambassador was not given a diplomatic warning. He was not even cautioned. He was expelled because of conduct similar to what Ambassador Bozell is displaying here in South Africa,” Lamola said.
The foreign minister added that South Africa’s decision to first warn Bozell and engage with him demonstrates its willingness to continue seeking solutions through dialogue.
KIGALI TIMES