ANC Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Group Backs Demarche Against Bozell, DA Criticises Decision

The African National Congress (ANC) Study Group on International Relations has expressed strong support for the decision by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, to formally demarche United States (US) Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III.

ANC study groups are specialised internal party structures designed to support party public representatives in conducting oversight, formulating policy, and preparing for legislative committee meetings. Generally, for each parliamentary committee there will be a parallel ANC study group.

The decision to demarche Bozell came after remarks made by him at a BizNews conference in Hermanus this week, which the ANC deemed undiplomatic. In a speech where he heaped effusive praise on South Africa as a country, he also expressed the view that the murderous “Kill the Boer” chant was hate speech, a view with which every civilised human being would agree.

In a statement, the ANC Study Group said that diplomatic relations between sovereign states should be based on mutual respect, adherence to diplomatic norms, and a commitment to constructive engagement. The party expressed concern over any public remarks from foreign representatives that may be perceived as inconsistent with these principles.

The study group said “South Africa’s democracy is robust, sovereign, and guided by its Constitution and the will of its people. As such, matters concerning our domestic affairs must be approached with the necessary diplomatic sensitivity and respect for our national sovereignty.”

“We support the position articulated by Minister Lamola that relations between South Africa and the United States are not one-sided. Our historical relationship has always been based on dialogue, cooperation, and mutual benefit. It is important that this continues in a manner that reflects equality and respect for the shared interests of our peoples,” it said.

The party also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to constructive engagement with international partners, but warned that the country would “not hesitate to defend its national dignity and democratic institutions when necessary”.

As tensions rise between Pretoria and Washington, the ANC Study Group “encourages continued diplomatic engagement to ensure that the strong historical relations between South Africa and the United States are preserved and strengthened in a spirit of mutual respect”.

At the same time, Ryan Smith, the Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson on international relations, said the demarche was “reckless” and was a risk to South Africa’s trade relationship with the US.

Smith was speaking on National Security News, a news organisation based in London.

He said that “wrong decisions” had been made and that they would affect the livelihood of South Africans.

Smith asked, “Is the DIRCO minister and the presidency, are they acting in the interests of South Africans? Are they doing what is best for South Africans, for South African trade, for South African jobs, for foreign direct investment into South Africa, or are they purely being petty and vindictive or trying to exert some sort of vendetta? And you know if it is the latter then these people are not fit to hold office, I'm afraid, because you are elected to uphold the Constitution and to serve in the interests of the Republic.”