Reuben Brigety, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, will leave office on January 10, 2025, as part of the diplomatic reshuffle following a U.S. election.
During his two-year tenure, Brigety praised South Africa’s government and people for their warmth and partnership. However, his time was marked by controversy, including allegations that South Africa secretly supplied arms to Russia—a claim that strained bilateral relations and sparked calls for his removal. Despite this, Brigety prioritized collaboration and mutual growth.
He highlighted key achievements, including initiatives in job creation, AIDS relief, education, and cultural exchange through programs like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Ambassador Brigety’s departure coincides with Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. President, ushering in changes to American diplomatic strategies.
Separately, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized Africa’s need for global financial and technological support to meet renewable energy targets set at COP28. With commitments to triple renewable energy output by 2030, Ramaphosa called for international cooperation to unlock opportunities that could drive economic growth and enterprise development across the continent.
G20 leaders will convene in person at the upcoming summit on Monday.
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