Bozell confirmation as US ambassador ‘could take months’
The nomination of Brent Bozell III as the new US ambassador to South Africa is now before the Senate, which will conduct hearings and vote on his appointment.
Bozell, a conservative media commentator, was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
His nomination comes amid a slump in ties between Washington and Pretoria since Trump cut financial aid to South Africa over what he alleges is its anti-white land policy, its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and other foreign policy clashes.
SA’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has also been expelled from the US amid accusations by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Rasool harboured hostility toward both the United States and Trump.
However, Bozell’s appointment is not solely dependent on the US, as South Africa retains the right to reject the nominee by withholding its official agreement.
"The nomination apparently has gone forward to the US Senate, which has the constitutional responsibility to have a hearing and then vote either for or against the nomination, both first in the committee that deals with foreign affairs and then in the Senate as a whole,” explained Daily Maverick Associate Editor Brooks Spector.
He added that the process could take months.
"Of course, the South African government has the right to say, 'No, thank you, please find somebody else.' This process could take as long as a couple of months. I would not go out to the airport this week or next to wait for Mr Bozell. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, before May, it might be possible."
-US-South Africa Relations Beyond Politics-
The nomination comes at a time of strained relations between Washington and Pretoria, particularly over the Israel-Palestine conflict, where the U.S. has strongly backed Israel while South Africa has voiced firm support for Palestine.
However, Spector believes that the US-South Africa ties extend beyond political differences, with economic and cultural exchanges playing a crucial role.
"I keep making this point over and over again to people to remember that the sum total of the relationship between the two countries is not simply the government-to-government relationship.
"There are individual relationships, and there are cultural and intellectual relationships that are not specifically government-to-government relationships as well."
-The Role of an Ambassador-
Spector emphasised that an ambassadorship is not a purely political position.
"The most important aspects of the job really mean that you are knowledgeable about your country’s policies, that you have the backing and the trust of the department that deals with foreign affairs — in the American case, the Department of State — and you have the trust of the president or head of government in whatever country the ambassador comes from."
"Ambassadors come from diverse backgrounds, including career diplomats, academics, media professionals, and business leaders. Their effectiveness depends on both individual qualities and the nature of bilateral relations between the two nations."
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