President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting US financial assistance to South Africa, citing the country’s land reform policies and its recent genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The White House also announced plans to facilitate the resettlement of Afrikaans-speaking white farmers and their families in the United States.
The decision marks a significant shift in US-South Africa relations, with Washington cutting nearly $440 million in aid that was allocated to the country in 2023. According to White House officials, the move is part of a broader policy to reassess America’s financial commitments to countries that oppose US foreign policy positions.
“The United States will no longer fund a nation that is seizing land without compensation and siding against us at international forums,” a senior White House official stated, referencing South Africa’s ongoing land reform policies and its lawsuit at the ICJ accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Resettlement Plan for Afrikaner Farmers
Beyond the aid cut, the White House disclosed that the Trump administration is formulating a resettlement strategy for white South African farmers, known as Afrikaners, who claim to face discrimination under the country’s land redistribution laws.
“The president believes that these hardworking, law-abiding farmers deserve refuge in the United States,” the official said, adding that they would be prioritized under the US Refugee Admissions Program.
This policy aligns with sentiments expressed by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has argued that white South Africans are victims of “racist ownership laws.” Trump himself has previously alleged that “certain classes of people” are being treated “very badly” in South Africa, though he has provided no concrete evidence.
South Africa Pushes Back
In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Trump’s claims, insisting that land reform is essential to correcting historical injustices but does not involve land seizures.
“We have not expropriated a single piece of land without compensation,” Ramaphosa said. “This is about addressing the racial disparities in land ownership, and we will not be bullied by any foreign power.”
According to a 2017 land audit, white landowners still control 75% of South Africa’s freehold farmland, despite making up less than 8% of the population. Black South Africans, who constitute 80% of the population, own only 4% of the land, a legacy of colonial and apartheid-era dispossession.
US Retaliation Over Israel Genocide Case?
While land reform is the official reason cited by the White House, analysts believe that South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel played a crucial role in the decision. Pretoria led international efforts to hold Israel accountable for its military actions in Gaza, accusing it of genocide following the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants and Israel’s subsequent military campaign.
Israel denies the genocide allegations, arguing that it acted in self-defense. The US, a staunch ally of Israel, strongly opposed South Africa’s legal action. Trump’s executive order, some observers argue, is a direct response to South Africa’s perceived defiance of US foreign policy.
“The timing of this decision suggests it’s more about punishing South Africa for challenging Washington’s allies than any real concern about land policies,” said an international relations expert.
Potential Fallout and Diplomatic Strain
The move is expected to strain US-South Africa relations, with the South African government likely to seek alternative sources of financial and diplomatic support. China and Russia, which have strengthened ties with South Africa in recent years, may seize the opportunity to fill the gap left by the US withdrawal.
