Following Reuben Brigety’s resignation, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says the incoming administration in the United States should ensure that any future ambassador to South Africa adheres to principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and genuine cooperation.
Brigety, who has served as the US ambassador to South Africa since August 2022, announced his resignation on Monday, 18 November. His tenure ends on 10 January 2025. His departure comes just days after Donald Trump was elected the US’s 47th president in the recently held elections.
REUBEN BRIGETY QUITS AS US AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH AFRICA
Brigety has a long and impressive history in diplomacy. He previously served as the US ambassador to the African Union and as Vice Chancellor at the University of the South.
Additionally, his connections to African politics don’t stop there. From 2011 to 2013, Brigety served as the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs.
Following his resignation, the EFF said Ambassador Reuben Brigety’s departure marks the conclusion of a controversial and tension-filled chapter in the relationship between South Africa and the United States.
The party said ambassador Brigety’s tenure was characterised by the typical arrogance and paternalistic behaviour of US officials, deeply rooted in their imperialist mindset. His time in office was marked by repeated violations of diplomatic norms and an attitude that sought to undermine South Africa’s sovereignty
AMBASSADOR CLAIMS SOUTH AFRICA IS SUPPLYING WEAPONS TO RUSSIA
In June 2023, Reuben Brigety made headlines when he claimed that South Africa was supplying weapons to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. According to the ambassador, the weapons were transported via a Russian ship called Lady R.
The Lady R, a sanctioned Russian vessel, docked at the Simon’s Town naval base from 6 to 8 December. Brigety alleges weapons were loaded during this period.
Brigety who said he was willing to bet his life on his claim was summoned by then-International Relations minister Naledi Pandor and insisted he apologised during the meeting. However, the ambassador’s public statement on the matter said he was grateful for the opportunity to “correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen also told BBC HARDTalk that he has suspected that the government supplied weapons to Russia during the first 18 months of the Russia-Ukraine war.
“His reckless claims also threatened South Africa’s participation in trade partnerships worth billions, further endangering the country’s economy. It is deeply telling that even as calls grew for his recall grew louder, Brigety chose to remain in his position, prioritising political grandstanding over genuine diplomatic engagement,” the EFF said.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT REUBEN BRIGETY’S LEGACY?
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