U.S. President Donald Trump has frozen aid to South Africa over a controversial land expropriation law.
In an executive order signed on Friday, Trump condemned the law, stating that it demonstrated a “shocking disregard” for citizens’ rights and could permit the government to expropriate land from the ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation.
“The United States cannot support the government of South Africa’s commission of rights violations in its country or its undermining United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our Nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests,” the US president said in the order.
Trump also criticized South Africa for taking “aggressive positions” against the U.S. and its allies, citing its accusation of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and its strengthening of ties with Iran.
South Africa’s land expropriation law:
Last month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law making it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest, requiring only equitable compensation. The legislation seeks to address racial disparities in land ownership that have persisted since the end of apartheid in 1994.
According to Ramaphosa, “South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land.”
“The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution,” he stated.
Elon Musk, U.S. officials weigh in on the law
Adding to the debate, South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk accused South Africa of enforcing “openly racist ownership laws” in response to a tweet by Ramaphosa.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would not attend the upcoming G-20 summit in South Africa, scheduled for February 20-21, citing concerns over the country’s newly enacted land expropriation law.
Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa, like the U.S. and many other nations, has long upheld expropriation laws that balance public land-use needs with property rights protections. On Thursday, he reaffirmed his stance, declaring that South Africa will not be bullied.”
