Published on 6/28/2026
The statements of the US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, renewed diplomatic tension between Pretoria and Washington, after he criticized on the
“The South African government is rolling out the red carpet for Iran’s deputy foreign minister, while Vice President Mashatile is in Beijing deepening ties with China. Pretoria calls this non-alignment, we call it what it is: a choice,” Bozell wrote, adding that “the South African people deserve an honest debate about whose side their government chooses to side with.” “South Africa cannot claim the mantle of non-alignment while actually courting America’s adversaries,” he said in another post.
The two publications coincided with a working visit by Vice President Paul Mashatile to Beijing, where he delivered a speech at the China International Supply Chain Exhibition on June 22, and affirmed his country’s commitment to a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. He also met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of International Relations Tandi Moraka met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh in Pretoria.
Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation spokesman Crispin Phiri said the ministry was aware of Bozell’s posts, adding that “the South African government does not engage in public disagreements with resident ambassadors, but these statements require a clear reaffirmation of our guidelines.” He explained that the country “pursues an independent foreign policy firmly rooted in the principle of non-alignment,” stressing that “non-alignment should not be confused with neutrality, as we refuse to be drawn into geopolitical rivalries or to be pressured to take sides.”
Ferry pointed out that his country “reserves the right to build bilateral relations with various international parties,” pointing out “the contradiction in being subjected to public scrutiny due to dealing with Iran and China, which are the same two countries that the United States itself continues to deal with.” He added that his country is committed to using approved diplomatic channels.
Context of disagreements
Bozil’s statements come months after a warning issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa last April during the credentials presentation ceremony in Pretoria to Bozil and 19 other ambassadors, in which he called on them to rely on “calm and constructive diplomacy” and not to criticize the host country publicly and in a confrontational manner. The appointed ambassador had previously received a protest note from the ministry against the backdrop of his downplaying of a South African judicial ruling.
Relations between the two countries had deteriorated after Donald Trump assumed his second term, as he accused Pretoria of allowing “white genocide” based on killings on farms, an allegation rejected by South Africa. Trump also boycotted the G20 summit hosted by South Africa in 2025, and Washington pressured France to withdraw Ramaphosa’s invitation to the G7 summit. Washington also expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ibrahim Rasool, and declared him persona non grata in March 2025.
In a related development, the US administration recently proposed 12.5% customs duties on South African exports due to rules related to “forced labor,” while the Senate threatens to review the country’s privileges in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). South African Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola sees non-alignment as “strategic independence” and not an anti-Western position.
