President Donald Trump has appointed Leo Brent Bozell III as ambassador to South Africa amidst declining US-South Africa relations. The move follows the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador and reflects ongoing tensions related to race and land ownership. Bozell, known for his conservative media advocacy, must now receive Senate confirmation for his new role.
United States President Donald Trump has appointed conservative media analyst Leo Brent Bozell III as the ambassador to South Africa during a period of intensified diplomatic tensions. The nomination comes after the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, due to critical remarks about President Trump. The current administration has condemned South Africa’s actions against Israel at international levels and has accused the country of persecuting white South Africans in land disputes.
Brent Bozell, who is 69 years old, previously sought to lead the defunct US Agency for Global Media, which oversaw significant broadcasting entities such as Voice of America. Additionally, he is the founder of the Media Research Center, an organization focused on detecting perceived liberal bias in the media, as well as the Parents Television Council. It is noteworthy that his son, Leo Bozell, took part in the January 6 Capitol riots and was convicted last year, receiving a nearly four-year sentence.
Diplomatic relations between the United States and South Africa have notably declined during the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the US expelled Ebrahim Rasool, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling him a “race-baiting politician”. Rubio’s announcement, delivered via a social media post, referenced an article that detailed Rasool’s criticisms of Trump’s race-related policy approaches.
In addition, Trump signed an executive order in February halting US aid to South Africa, citing alleged racial discrimination against white Afrikaners under a new law, the Expropriation Act. This law allows for the government to seize private land. Statistics indicate that white South Africans constitute only 7.2% of the population yet own 72% of individually-owned farmland according to a 2018 audit. The African National Congress, which leads the South African government, has responded by criticizing Trump’s actions as rooted in misinformation and propaganda against their country.
In conclusion, Brent Bozell’s nomination as ambassador to South Africa reflects ongoing diplomatic issues between the two nations, particularly surrounding race and land ownership. The Trump administration’s actions, including the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador and the freezing of aid, highlight a broader pattern of conflict and controversy. As relations deteriorate, the appointment awaits confirmation by the Senate, indicating a potentially tumultuous diplomatic future.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
