Cape Town — Many South African political parties have reacted to the resignation of the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety.
Brigety announced his resignation as US Ambassador on Monday and explained that it was a standard transition when the country has a change in presidency.
“US ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President, and with the recent election in the US, the American people have expressed their choice for the future direction of our country, reflecting our shared commitment to democratic principles,” Brigety said.
He will officially conclude his tenure on 10 January 2025, days before Trump is set to be inaugurated.
Today, I announce my resignation as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, effective January 10, 2025, as part of a standard transition. It’s been an honour to represent the U.S. and strengthen ties with South Africa. I look forward to concluding my tenure with continued dedication.… pic.twitter.com/6dQXh4eGsk
— Ambassador Reuben Brigety (@USAmbRSA) November 18, 2024
The opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) released a statement where they welcomed his announcement, saying his tenure was marred by arrogance and imperialist interference.
“His baseless allegations about South Africa supplying arms to Russia caused reputational harm, a decline in the Rand, and strained diplomatic relations. Brigety’s behaviour undermined South Africa’s sovereignty and threatened vital trade partnerships,” the party said.
The EFF hoped that the incoming US administration would foster respectful and cooperative relations in Africa and reject any idea of an imperialistic overreach.
EFF STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE US AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH AFRICA
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the resignation of the US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, whose tenure was marred by arrogance and imperialist interference. His baseless allegations… pic.twitter.com/OzCcsP7L0Z
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 18, 2024
According to The Citizen, the South African Communist Party (SACP) said Brigety’s departure was “good riddance.”
“He must go, he destabilised South Africa. His action and utterances bordered on undermining our national democratic sovereignty,” said SACP spokesperson Dr Alex Mashilo.
Mashilo referenced the controversy that surfaced after Brigety said South Africa was backing Russia with weapons against Ukraine, and a vessel was spotted loading arms in Simon’s Town harbour.
The SACP was also one of the groups that called for the envoy to be sent home, and Mashilo added that the Simon’s Town incident, as well as a report attributed to Brigety about a bomb threat in Sandton, undermined South Africa’s sovereignty.
“South Africa is not a colony of the US. It cannot be that when the US makes its foreign policy decisions those must also become our international relations and cooperation decisions,” he said.
However, Professor John Stremlau from Wits University said Brigety was a “talented and capable diplomat” whom he knew before he became an ambassador. He explained that he played a constructive role in promoting business cooperation between South Africa and Atlanta.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
