Trump halts aid to South Africa over land reforms, Israel ICJ case, and Iran ties
The executive order lists several grievances, accusing Pretoria of policies that Washington deems harmful to US interests.
President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order halting US foreign aid to South Africa, citing what the administration described as "egregious actions" by the South African government, including the controversial land reform law, its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and expanding commercial ties with Iran.
The executive order, titled Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa, lists several grievances, accusing Pretoria of policies that Washington deems harmful to US interests and inconsistent with democratic values.
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"In shocking disregard of its citizens' rights, the Republic of South Africa recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 to enable the government to seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation," reads the order.
It claims the law violates the rights of landowners and dismantles equal opportunity in employment, education, and business.
Beyond land reform, the executive order takes aim at South Africa's diplomatic positions, particularly its legal action at the ICJ accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and its growing ties with Iran on military and nuclear cooperation.
Under the executive order, the US will immediately halt foreign aid and assistance to South Africa.
Resettlement of Afrikaners
Furthermore, the US will prioritise the resettlement of Afrikaners fleeing what the administration calls "government-sponsored race-based discrimination".
"All executive departments and agencies, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), shall promptly exercise all available authorities to halt such aid or assistance," the order specifies.
The Secretary of Homeland Security has been tasked with creating a programme to resettle Afrikaner refugees under the United States Refugee Admissions Programme.
The executive order marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
Relations between the two countries have frayed over South Africa's growing alignment with non-Western powers, including China, Russia, and Iran. The US sees these relationships as undermining its strategic interests.
"The United States cannot support the government of South Africa's commission of rights violations in its country or its undermining of US foreign policy," the executive order states.
Trump's executive order is expected to spark significant backlash from South Africa and could complicate US relations with other African nations that sympathise with Pretoria's positions on land reform and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While Pretoria has not officially responded to the order, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola recently defended his country's foreign policy, emphasising its commitment to Ubuntu—a philosophy rooted in equality, justice, and collective problem-solving.
"We are a sovereign and democratic country committed to human dignity, equality, and rights. Our G20 presidency is focused on promoting an equitable global system for all, not just the West," Lamola said in a recent post on X.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a national address this week that his country won't be "bullied".
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