Africa News 24 Pretoria Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, US — Diplomatic tensions between the US and South Africa reached a new high Friday with President Donald Trump slapping Pretoria with sanctions over the enactment of Expropriation Act 13 of 2024. The Act enables the South African government to seize agricultural property owned by ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation.
The move, formalised through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump Friday, marks a severe deterioration in US – South Africa relations.
According to the executive order, the US government condemns the Expropriation Act as a violation of human rights and a targeted act of racial discrimination. The order cites a broader pattern of policies by the South African government that allegedly dismantle equal opportunities in employment, education, and business, alongside rhetoric fuelling violence against racially disfavoured landowners.
“The United States cannot support the government of South Africa’s commission of rights violations in its country or its undermining of United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests,” the executive order states.
Sanctions and policy measures
The executive order outlines a series of immediate actions:
- Suspension of Aid: All US foreign aid and assistance to South Africa will be halted, including programs administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
- Refugee Resettlement: The US will prioritise the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees facing government-sponsored racial discrimination. The Departments of State and Homeland Security are tasked with facilitating their admission through the United States Refugee Admissions Programme.
- Diplomatic Pressure: The executive order calls on all executive departments and agencies to exercise maximum discretion to halt support to South Africa, except in cases deemed necessary by agency heads.
Broader diplomatic context
The US administration’s decision also cites South Africa’s recent foreign policy moves, including its accusations against Israel at the International Court of Justice and renewed ties with Iran. The executive order describes these actions as undermining US foreign policy and contributing to regional instability.
South Africa’s legal challenge against Israel, where it accused the nation of committing genocide against Palestinians while downplaying Hamas’s actions, has sparked outrage in Washington. Furthermore, Pretoria’s strengthening of commercial, military, and nuclear ties with Iran has raised alarms about potential security risks for the US and its allies.
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Reactions and Implications
The South African government has yet to issue an official response to the sanctions. However, political analysts warn that the move could strain diplomatic relations across the African continent, where South Africa holds significant influence as an economic powerhouse.
Human rights organisations are divided on the issue. Some support the US stance against racially discriminatory property seizures, while others criticise Washington for selectively addressing human rights issues, pointing to its inconsistent responses to similar policies in other countries.
Economic experts suggest the sanctions could have a ripple effect on South Africa’s economy, potentially deterring foreign investment and exacerbating existing economic challenges. The move may also impact US businesses operating in South Africa, particularly in sectors reliant on bilateral trade agreements.
Next steps
The US State Department is expected to issue further guidelines for implementing the sanctions in the coming days. Meanwhile, the international community will be watching closely to see how South Africa responds and whether other nations will follow Washington’s lead in condemning or supporting Pretoria’s controversial land policies.
As tensions rise, the future of US – South Africa relations remains uncertain, with potential implications for broader diplomatic and economic ties across the African continent.
Update: SA government responds to US sanctions
The South AFrican government on Saturday morning responded to Trump’s order saying it was concerned “that the foundational premise” of the order lacked factual accuracy.
In a statement Saturday morning, the International Relations ministry said Trump’s order failed to recognise South Africa’s colonial history under apartheid.
“The government of South Africa has taken note of the latest executive order issued by President Trump. It is of great concern that the foundational premise of this order lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognise South Africa’s profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid.
“We are concerned by what seems to be a campaign of misinformation and propaganda aimed at misrepresenting our great nation. It is disappointing to observe that such narratives seem to have found favour among decision-makers in the United States of America.
“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.
“We reiterate that South Africa remains committed to finding diplomatic solutions to any misunderstandings or disputes,” the ministry said.
