Call for Ramaphosa to reject incoming US ambassador’s credentials

The Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to seriously consider rejecting the credentials of the incoming United States (US) ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell.

Bozell was sworn-in as ambassador designate to South Africa three weeks ago and will assume his duties once he presents his credentials to Ramaphosa.

ALSO READ: US Senate confirms Leo Bozell as ambassador to South Africa amid strained relations

But the AAM, chaired by Reverend Frank Chikane, said that Bozell’s appointment raises profound and legitimate concerns about the role he would seek to play in the country.

When Bozell appeared before a confirmation hearing of the US Senate last October, he told the foreign relations committee he would actively try to persuade the South African government to drop its genocide case against Israel.

But the AAM said it unequivocally rejects all attempts to intimidate, coerce or retaliate against South Africa for fulfilling its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

A conservative author and media critic by profession, Bozell is a staunch supporter of Israel and in the 1980s, belonged to a lobby group strongly opposed to negotiations with then political prisoner Nelson Mandela to end apartheid.

“His proposed appointment must, therefore, be understood within a broader pattern of coercion against states that challenge impunity. This pattern includes sanctions against international courts, punitive measures against judges and officials, disinformation campaigns, and the selective application of international law,” reads a statement from the AAM.

The movement said it rejects destabilisation efforts, including disinformation guised as religious freedom, the manipulation of faith leaders and divisive false narratives such as a “white genocide in South Africa” to fracture social cohesion.

South Africa has not replaced its former ambassador to the United States - Ebrahim Rasool - who was expelled from Washington almost a year ago for comments he made about President Donald Trump’s administration.