Dana Brown was put in 'tenuous' position, says analysts

Brown, who was Chargé d’Affaires at the US embassy in Pretoria, resigned on Friday amid rising diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington.

Tensions between the two countries have been growing since Trump cited disapproval of South Africa’s approach to land reform after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the land exportation bill into law in late January.

This week, the U.S. also terminated all its HIV/AIDS funding to several countries, including SA.

Oscar Van Heerden said Brown’s resignation may be due to Trump’s hard stance on South Africa.

"These are usually, not always, Democrats who are just finding it too difficult to actually execute some of what they would term ridiculous decisions that the Trump administration is hoisting upon them.

"I think that she found it very difficult how the Trump administration and Marco Rubio dealt with the invitation to the G20 and wanted the embassy to basically pick up the pieces.

"Also, I think she was not prepared for that. And that's why she decided to resign and go back home. Because it does mean that Trump, because of their decisions, put certain people, including diplomats, in a very tenuous position."

Roland Henwood, an international relations expert at the University of Pretoria, shared similar sentiments.

He said there is no doubt Brown's departure was possibly due to the Trump administration's anti-South Africa stance.

"It may also have something to do with the tense relations and the fact that she essentially has to be the face of a U.S. government that is not engaging with South Africa directly."

"She's a professional diplomat, she probably does not have the political support that would be required, and I think that makes it very difficult for somebody in that position."

"She's not given any reasons, so it may be personal reasons only," he added.

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