By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The new United States Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, gave his first address in Hermanus, Western Cape since his appointment last month and has outlined some priorities sent through from the United States capital of Washington.
One of the priorities highlighted from Bozel is protection of rural communities from gang violence and to condemn any indication of hateful rhetoric.
One of the key outlines also includes concerns surrounding expropriation laws, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies and also to expand digital and critical mineral cooperation in order to bolster good trade relations.
“Insulting our President on the eve of coming to our country is not a good sign. Sending condolence letters to Iran after one of the world’s greatest terrorists has been put down it’s not a good sign” said Bozel when highlighting the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the airstrikes propagated by US-Israeli forces.
Another key priority highlighted is that the United States want South Africa to sever their ties with the BRICS bloc and to also drop its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) citing Israel’s conflict with Palestine as an act of genocide.
“I’ll tell you where our position has been very firm. We’ve put them forward to the South African government. We’ve been waiting for almost a year for a response, ” said Bozell.
“As I’ve made clear in meetings I’ve had, the US is running out of patience. We believe more and more it becomes a statement by the South African government when it doesn’t want to respond to simple questions we have” said Bozell.
Bozell also highlighted that Trump’s request is for South Africa to become “non-aligned once again” stating that “it’s not too much to ask”. He also mentioned that the US would like clarity on “Kill the Boer” as he cited this statement as a form of hate speech, “I’m sorry I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech” said Bozell.
Bozell also urged business leaders to be forthcoming about their unhappiness with government policies. “I don’t want to hear businesses say one thing publicly and another thing privately. I want the businesses who tell me privately that BEE is hurting them to say so publicly. I don’t want them to feel fear from the government.
There has to be that kind of outspokeness.” said Bozell.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have heavily criticised the address by the new US Ambassador to South Africa stating that Bozell is issuing arrogant and entitled threats against South Africa.
The EFF have demanded the immediate expulsion of the Ambassador, “We call for him to be immediately declared persona non grata” said the EFF.
“Bozel has taken it upon himself to dictate South Africa’s domestic and foreign policy. His suggestions are disrespectful.” the EFF said further in a statement. The EFF also took it upon themselves to address the song “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer”.
“This song is part of our history in the struggle against racial domination, and to dismiss the court’s decision as irrelevant is an insult to our sovereignty and our legal system” said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
The EFF also criticised the complicity of the American government of the genocide of the Palestinian people. “He should also address America’s complicity in the genocide of the Palestinian people and explain its ongoing economic and military blockade of Cuba” said the EFF.