On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would halt all funding to South Africa until the country stops seizing farmland owned by white residents. This move came in response to a controversial land expropriation law signed into effect by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on January 23. The law grants the government the authority to seize land without compensation, which critics argue unfairly targets white South African landowners, who still control much of the country’s farmland. Supporters claim the law is an effort to address racial inequality.
Trump took to Truth Social, accusing South African leaders of mistreating certain groups of people and calling the situation a massive human rights violation that the media ignores. He made it clear that the U.S. would not tolerate such actions and would act accordingly. As of 2023, the U.S. had sent nearly $440 million in aid to South Africa.
In response, President Ramaphosa defended the land reform policy, asserting that South Africa is a constitutional democracy committed to justice and equality. He also stated that the government had not seized any land and expressed hope that the two nations could engage in productive discussions on these issues.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions over land reform in South Africa, which has been a contentious issue since the end of apartheid.
