His duty as Ambassador of the United States of America to South Africa is clear and defined by diplomatic convention: represent his country, strengthen bilateral relations, protect US citizens, and engage respectfully with the government of the day. It is not his role to dictate policy, threaten sovereignty, or attempt to reshape South Africa’s constitutional and foreign policy positions.
South Africa’s stance at the International Court of Justice, its international alliances, and its domestic policies are matters determined by its elected leadership and its Constitution. No ambassador has the authority to interfere in those sovereign decisions.
If he has come to build cooperation based on mutual respect, he will find partners. If he has come to lecture, pressure, or advance ideological agendas, he will quickly learn that South Africa is not a client state.
Diplomacy requires maturity and restraint. He must conduct himself accordingly and leave our policies to the people of South Africa.