Feb 9, 2025 Story by: Editor
US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday to freeze financial assistance to South Africa in response to a contentious law that permits the government to seize farmland from White farmers without compensation. The order also cited South Africa’s position on Israel and the ongoing genocide in Gaza as reasons for the decision.
In the order, Trump stated that the US would no longer provide foreign aid to South Africa if such policies persist, arguing that they demonstrate a “shocking disregard for its citizens” and amount to “human rights violations.” He directed US agencies to halt all assistance to the country unless deemed necessary.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously denied accusations of land confiscation, asserting that his administration is committed to fair land reform. “We are looking forward to working with the Trump administration over our land reform policy,” Ramaphosa said.
Additionally, Trump’s order called for support for Afrikaners—descendants of European settlers—who seek to leave South Africa due to discrimination. The directive includes provisions to assist them in resettling through refugee programs.
“It is the policy of the United States that, as long as South Africa continues these unjust and immoral practices that harm our Nation, the United States shall not provide aid or assistance to South Africa; and the United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation,” the order stated.
South Africa’s foreign ministry expressed strong opposition to the order, describing it as a “great concern” and criticizing its accuracy. The ministry stated that it “(lacked) factual accuracy and fails to recognize South Africa’s profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid,” adding that the measure appeared to be “a campaign of misinformation and propaganda aimed at misrepresenting our great nation.”
“It is ironic that the executive order makes provision for refugee status in the US for a group in South Africa that remains amongst the most economically privileged, while vulnerable people in the US from other parts of the world are being deported and denied asylum despite real hardship,” the ministry added in a statement on Saturday.
Historically, South Africa’s apartheid-era policies forcibly displaced Black and non-White citizens to allocate land for White ownership. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the nation’s constitution has included provisions for land redistribution and restitution.
Together, whites make up around 7% of South Africa’s population of 62 million.
Despite these efforts, unemployment and poverty remain disproportionately high among Black South Africans, who make up about 80% of the population yet own only a small share of the country’s land. In January, Ramaphosa signed legislation outlining new guidelines for land expropriation, allowing the government to seize land without compensation in certain cases.
The US Foreign Assistance website reported that the US had allocated nearly $440 million in aid to South Africa in 2023, with over $270 million provided through the Agency for International Development (USAID).
Trump’s executive order follows his administration’s broader moves to curtail foreign aid, including significant reductions to USAID funding.
Furthermore, the order referenced South Africa’s diplomatic actions, accusing the country of adopting an adversarial stance toward the US and its allies, particularly regarding Israel and its renewed ties with Iran.
South Africa recently brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of genocide. The legal filing alleged that Israel’s government was “intent on destroying the Palestinians in Gaza” and urged the court to mandate an immediate halt to Israel’s military operations in the territory.
Previously, Trump had warned that he would suspend aid until a comprehensive investigation was conducted into claims that “South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people very badly,” though he did not provide supporting evidence.
Ramaphosa recently discussed concerns about misinformation regarding South Africa with Elon Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur and one of Trump’s allies. According to a government statement, their conversation focused on “issues of misinformation and distortions about South Africa,” while reaffirming the nation’s commitment to “the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness and equality.”
Addressing the nation during his annual state of the nation speech, Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s resolve.
“We are, as South Africans, a resilient people, and we will not be bullied,” he said. Source: CNN
