Reuben Brigety Resigns as US Ambassador to South Africa Amid US Presidential Transition

Reuben Brigety. Image: LCWINS.org.

Reuben Brigety, the US Ambassador to South Africa, has announced his resignation in the wake of the recent US presidential election, which saw former President Donald Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Brigety, who was appointed by the outgoing Democratic administration of President Joe Biden, will step down in January, in accordance with the standard diplomatic protocol during a change of presidential administration.

Brigety’s tenure has been marked by controversy, particularly following his explosive claims in May that the South African government had supplied arms to Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. These allegations sparked a diplomatic crisis, severely straining relations between South Africa, the US and Russia. The accusations led to a sharp depreciation of the South African rand and considerable reputational damage to Pretoria, despite later findings from an independent investigation that concluded Brigety’s claims were unfounded.

President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to the accusations by expressing concern over the damaging effects on South Africa’s currency and its global standing, with the country’s economy suffering as a direct result of the ambassador’s statements. Despite the controversy, Brigety maintained his position and continued to serve until his resignation. In his farewell statement issued on Monday, Brigety focused on the positive achievements of his tenure. He highlighted the strengthening of US-South Africa relations, particularly in trade and investment. Under his leadership, initiatives such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) were advanced, benefiting sectors like automotive, minerals, agriculture and chemicals. These efforts helped create more jobs in South Africa and contributed to the country’s economic development.

Brigety also praised the collaborative work done in areas such as public health, particularly through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided critical support in combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. He noted the importance of US-South African partnerships in higher education, which included funding for joint research, academic exchanges, and initiatives aimed at job creation and youth empowerment in fields like renewable energy.

“As I conclude my service, I express my profound gratitude to the government and people of South Africa for their warm hospitality and unwavering partnership,” Brigety said in his statement. He also expressed confidence that his successor would continue to strengthen the US-South Africa relationship, which he described as having “strong foundations.”

Brigety’s resignation will be effective on January 10, ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the President of the United States. As is customary, US ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president and Brigety’s decision to step down follows the transition of power to the incoming Republican administration.

Despite the controversies surrounding his time in South Africa, Brigety leaves behind a mixed legacy i.e one marked by both significant achievements in bilateral cooperation and diplomatic tensions that continue to reverberate across the region.