South Africa summons U.S. envoy over conduct it calls undiplomatic

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation summoned U.S. Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III on Tuesday and issued a démarche over conduct it described as undiplomatic, according to a senior department official. The U.S. Embassy confirmed Bozell was called in to discuss bilateral relations, but did not confirm Pretoria’s characterization of the meeting. The diplomatic action followed public criticism by Bozell of South Africa’s response to demands from the Trump administration. The disagreements concern land expropriation, black economic empowerment policies, farm and rural safety, and the Kill the Boer chant. Pretoria and Washington have also clashed over other aspects of South Africa’s domestic policies. South African officials have said the country is open to resolving difficulties with the United States through dialogue, while maintaining that it will not compromise its sovereignty or national interests. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said black economic empowerment is part of national legislation intended to advance transformation.