South Africa has accepted Brent Bozell as the new United States ambassador, despite his history of criticism toward Pretoria, the government announced on Monday.
The move comes amid strained relations between the two countries over a range of international and domestic issues.
Bozell, a right-wing media critic and vocal supporter of Israel, was nominated by US President Donald Trump in March. An official accreditation ceremony with President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled for April.
The appointment follows a series of diplomatic tensions, including South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the US expulsion of Pretoria’s ambassador in March.
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A US State Department official said Bozell “looks forward to taking up his post and representing America First foreign policy.”
At his Senate confirmation hearing in October, Bozell stated he would press South Africa to drop its genocide case against Israel and voice concerns over the country’s growing ties with Russia, China, and Iran.
Bozell also indicated he would advocate for the US offer of refugee status to white Afrikaners, echoing claims by the Trump administration that white South Africans face discrimination and even “genocide” under the post-apartheid government.
The appointment signals Washington’s intent to maintain a confrontational stance on issues it perceives as misaligned with US interests in southern Africa.