U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order freezing financial aid to South Africa. The decision follows Trump’s warnings earlier this week, citing concerns over South Africa’s new land law and its international legal challenge against Israel.
The executive order states that the U.S. “cannot support the government of South Africa’s commission of rights violations in its country” and that financial assistance will be suspended “as long as it continues these unjust and immoral practices.”
Speaking to reporters, Trump accused South Africa of “confiscating land” and treating “certain classes of people very badly.” His comments echo those of his close adviser, Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and recently criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s land policy on X, calling it “openly racist.”
The government of South Africa denies these allegations, asserting that the policy aims to address historical injustices in a lawful and fair manner. Last month, Ramaphosa signed the law that allows land expropriation without compensation under specific conditions, including when land remains unused or poses a risk to people.
U.S. Plans to Resettle South African Farmers
The executive order also directs U.S. officials to formulate a plan for the resettlement of South African farmers, primarily white Afrikaners, under the United States Refugee Admissions Program. The White House said it will “prioritize humanitarian relief, including admission and resettlement” for those affected by the land policy.
Trump elaborated on this in a briefing, stating: “We’ll make a determination, and until such time as we find out what South Africa is doing—they’re taking away land and confiscating land, and actually they’re doing things that are perhaps far worse than that.”
While President Ramaphosa has yet to publicly respond to the executive order, his office confirmed that he spoke with Musk on Monday in an effort to de-escalate the situation. In that call, Ramaphosa “reiterated South Africa’s constitutionally embedded values of respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness, and equality.”
A government spokesperson told local media that “there has been no land confiscation, only policy designed to ensure equitable public access to land in line with the South African constitution.”
Israel Genocide Case
Beyond the land law, the U.S. order also criticizes South Africa for its recent actions at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where it has accused Israel of committing genocide in its war against Hamas.
The order states: “South Africa has taken aggressive positions towards the United States and its allies, including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the ICJ, and reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements.”
The dispute highlights a growing rift between the two nations, with Trump’s administration aligning itself firmly against Pretoria’s foreign policy stance.
Similarities with Zimbabwe?
This development draws parallels to Zimbabwe’s land reform under former President Robert Mugabe in the early 2000s. Mugabe’s government initiated a fast-track land reform program that led to the forcible seizure of white-owned farms without compensation, aiming to redress colonial-era land disparities. However, the process was marred by violence and allegations of corruption, leading to a significant decline in agricultural production and economic instability.
In contrast, South Africa’s approach appears more measured, with legal frameworks in place to guide the expropriation process. The government emphasizes that expropriation without compensation will occur only in specific circumstances and aims to address historical injustices while maintaining economic stability. However, critics argue that any move towards expropriation without compensation could deter investment and lead to economic challenges similar to those experienced by Zimbabwe
What Comes Next?
With U.S. financial aid now frozen and diplomatic tensions rising, the situation is expected to evolve in the coming weeks. Political analysts suggest that Ramaphosa may need to engage in high-level diplomatic talks to prevent further economic fallout. Meanwhile, Trump’s move is likely to resonate with his political base who massively supported him in the last U.S. election.
