South Africa has summoned United States Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for a third time. Authorities described this as “undiplomatic conduct.”
According to Reuters, a senior official at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that Pretoria had formally protested to the ambassador.
Third protest in nine months
“We can confirm that we demarched Ambassador Bozell,” the official said.
A demarche is a formal diplomatic protest delivered by one government to another.
South African authorities did not disclose the specific conduct that triggered the latest action.
The US embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters, while the State Department acknowledged questions had been submitted.
Relations remain strained
Bozell arrived in Pretoria as US ambassador in February. He was summoned within weeks following remarks that South African officials said undermined the country’s judiciary and historical context.
Relations between Pretoria and Washington have remained tense over several political and diplomatic disputes.
South Africa said it remained willing to engage the United States. However, it would continue to defend its sovereignty and domestic policies.
Officials from both countries are still discussing unresolved issues affecting bilateral relations.
