New US ambassador arrives in South Africa

Brent Bozell has pledged to use his post to challenge Pretoria’s ties with Washington’s “competitors,” including Russia, China and Iran

The new US ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, has arrived in Pretoria, Reuters reported on Monday, citing an embassy official. He is taking up the post amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Africa’s most industrialized economy.

Bozell, appointed by US President Donald Trump last March and confirmed by the Senate in December, is expected to present his credentials to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the coming days, formally beginning his tenure.

His posting follows over a year without a resident US ambassador in Pretoria after the previous envoy, Reuben Brigety, resigned in 2025 following months of diplomatic friction over his public remarks alleging that South Africa had supplied arms to Russia. The relationship deteriorated further in March 2025 when Washington expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, after he sharply criticized US policy, prompting officials to declare him persona non grata.

Relations have been strained over South Africa’s ties with Russia and China, as well as its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Trump administration has also accused Pretoria of failing to protect white minority farmers – allegations South African officials have repeatedly rejected.

During his Senate confirmation hearing in October, Bozell said he will serve “with respect for the South African people” while advancing the administration’s priorities.

READ MORE: Trump envoy nomination provokes South Africa – MP

The conservative activist and writer has pledged to pursue priorities that include challenging South Africa’s “geostrategic drift from non-alignment” toward US “competitors, including Russia, China and Iran.” He also said he will “press” Pretoria to end its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and “pressure” the prosecutor to discontinue what he described as “lawfare.” 

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South Africa, a longtime supporter of Palestinian statehood, has been one of Israel’s most vocal critics since the Gaza war began in October 2023. In November that year, Pretoria, along with several allies, referred Israel’s conduct in Gaza to the International Criminal Court, before filing a separate genocide case at the ICJ the following month. Israel has strongly denied the allegations.

In March, South African lawmaker Nqobile Mhlongo told RT that Trump’s appointment of Bozell is intended to “provoke” Pretoria, adding that South Africa is “not a satellite state of the US” and cannot be pressured to surrender its sovereign policy decisions.