DIPLOMACY: SA’s Russia invasion stance ‘disappointing’, says probable next US ambassador in Pretoria

US President Joe Biden’s nominee Ruben Brigetti as ambassador to South Africa was to explain to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week why he once called former President Donald Trump “America’s first Nazi-in-chief” .

Brighetti apologized for his strong language but not for his criticism of Trump. The committee would later vote on his nomination, but it would be up to the entire Senate to decide whether to confirm him as ambassador. It is not yet clear whether Trump’s humiliation could affect his confirmation.

Brighetti has had a varied career, as a diplomat who served as ambassador to the African Union, as head of universities, and as a naval officer.

In February, President Joe Biden named her as ambassador to South Africa, a position that has been vacant since Trump’s appointment, South African-born businesswoman Lana Marx, left Pretoria after Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election. .

At her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Brighetti was asked by Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota to explain an article she had written. Foreign Policy magazine in 2017. In it, he called Trump “America’s first Nazi-in-chief,” remarks Trump made about recent demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia against the removal of statues by neo-Nazis, Klanmen, white supremacists, and others. . City of Confederate Heroes.

These protesters clashed with anti-racism protesters. One of the latter group was killed when a white racist drove his vehicle into anti-racism demonstrations. Trump had responded by saying, among other things, that there were “very good people on both sides” of the protest.

How low can they all go, Mr President? The case of Mr. Mabalula still unbroken

Brighetti recalled in the Senate this week that he apologized for his remarks about Trump at the time, “which was below the dignity of the office and my own long-established standards for dignity and decency”.

But Brighetti said one can still disagree with Trump’s remarks that there were “very good people on both sides” of the Charlottesville protests.

“One of those sides involved neo-Nazis and white supremacists who planned, organized and carried out a violent and really murderous riot,” he said.

Brighetti said that the purpose of her article in 2017 was to urge members of Trump’s administration to “please speak out against these violent neo-Nazis who were chanting: ‘Jews will not replace us’ and: ‘You will not replace us’ Will take.

“Senator, I believe that people of goodwill, regardless of their political affiliation, should all rise up to condemn the violent racism in our country,” he told Rounds. If not, violent racism will metastasize, he said, noting a recent incident where an 18-year-old, inspired by a replacement ideology similar to that of Charlottesville protesters, killed 10 people at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store. . because they were black.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut noted that the South African government had avoided UN General Assembly votes by condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

What kind of leverage can the US take to change its position on South Africa? he asked Brigitte.

Brighetti agreed with Murphy that the SA vote was “quite disappointing” and “unfortunate”. However, he said that there was a major debate in South Africa over its vote at the United Nations and that many in civil society said the government should have supported Ukraine.

Brighetti noted that the issue has already been taken up with South Africa at the highest level, by Biden to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Foreign Minister Antony Blinken to his counterpart Naledi Pandor. This gave the US a clear understanding of the South African vote.

If confirmed as ambassador, he said he would take the matter before the South African government that the people of Ukraine wanted what the people of South Africa wanted during their freedom struggle.

Democratic Senator Chris Koons of Delaware asked Brighetti what he would do to deepen US ties with South Africa and encourage it to play a key role in building security, democracy and development in his region.

Brigetti said there were historical reasons why US-SA relations were “brittle”, not the memory of the SA government and ANC leaders of South Africa’s US policy towards apartheid.

“But the future lies ahead,” he said, adding that if confirmed, he would use the embassy’s platform in Pretoria to strengthen ties.

Gene Shaheen, a Democratic Senator from New Hampshire, asked Brigetti what he would do about China’s growing influence in Africa, including South Africa.

He replied that the key to changing the narrative was to significantly increase American private sector involvement in Africa and that he would work to do so.

Brighetti said that if confirmed as ambassador he would pursue “Ubuntu diplomacy” in developing and strengthening ties between the US and the SA.

South Africa was currently experiencing “the most dramatic political, economic and social developments since the end of apartheid”, including “shifting electoral politics, a reckoning in years of official corruption, and efforts to address inequalities in the economy”. ongoing efforts”. Despite these “grave challenges”, the future of the country remained bright.

If ratified, it would focus on three central objectives. The first would be to improve the human condition of the South African people and protect the natural environment. This will include effective implementation of America’s Pepper Giant Initiative against HIV/AIDS; helping to end the COVID-19 pandemic; Implementing climate change initiatives such as energy conservation and promoting education and training.

Second, he will spur new American investment, particularly by businesses that create jobs.

“Ultimately, I will be a tireless advocate for democracy and democratic values.” DM