US State Department Demands Clarity From South Africa After DIRCO Summons Ambassador Leo Bozell
- The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) summoned Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III on 29 September 2026
- The latest démarche followed Bozell's media interviews accusing Pretoria of failing to meaningfully engage with Washington's five key demands
- The United States' State Department responded to the decision, demanding that South Africa clarify the relationship it wants
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
WASHINGTON, DC — The United States of America's State Department has issued a pointed response after the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) summoned Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III.
The summons, issued on 29 September 2026, marked the third formal démarche against the envoy in under nine months. The immediate cause of the latest démarche was a series of media interviews and a published op-ed by Bozell in which he accused the South African government of providing no substantive response to Washington's so-called "Five Asks."
He described official government statements as "spin" and alleged that Pretoria was rejecting a constructive relationship with the United States.
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US State Department responds to DIRCO's move
In response to the decision by DIRCO, a State Department spokesperson confirmed Washington's position on the matter.
"Ambassador Bozell went to South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to discuss the bilateral relationship. He stressed that the United States has been clear about the relationship we seek. We are not interested in diplomatic manoeuvring, procedural delays, or dialogue for dialogue's sake.
"The ball is now squarely in the Government of South Africa's court to outline the relationship it wants with the United States and respond accordingly to President Trump's executive order."
A pattern of diplomatic friction
This was not the first time DIRCO has formally objected to Bozell's conduct. Two earlier summonses — in March and June 2026 — followed comments by the ambassador dismissing a South African court ruling on the "Kill the Boer" chant and criticising Pretoria's engagement with countries Washington considers adversaries.
DIRCO confirmed the most recent summons but did not issue a detailed public statement, noting only that both governments remain committed to continued dialogue.
Bozell III calls on Cyril Ramaphosa to act
Briefly News highlighted facts about Bozell’s call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly condemn the “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” chant.
Bozell said Washington had made five formal diplomatic demands of Pretoria, with two considered to have been dealt with or set aside.
The ambassador argued that a court ruling on the chant did not prevent Ramaphosa from taking a moral stance on the matter.
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Source: Briefly News
