South Africa summons US ambassador for third time in nine months

South Africa has summoned the US ambassador in Pretoria for the third time in the past nine months over what it described as un-diplomatic conduct and has delivered its formal protest, a senior official in the country has confirmed, though no details were given about the behaviour in question.

The US embassy has not yet commented on the summons of Leo Brent Bozell III. South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has also provided no further explanation for the formal protest.

Relations between Washington and Pretoria have been strained in recent years over political differences and remarks by Donald Trump about the status of white South Africans. Bozell was previously summoned over comments that the South African government said were interventionist and undermined the country’s judiciary.

Despite these disputes, South Africa has stressed its commitment to continuing dialogue with the US, saying bilateral issues must be resolved with respect for the country’s sovereignty and without compromise on its domestic priorities.