South Africa Voices Alarm Over US Aid Reduction Linked to Land Policy Dispute
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Synopsis
South Africa has expressed significant concern over a US executive order that aims to cut financial aid due to disputes over land policy. The Department of International Relations criticized the order for its inaccuracies and warned of misinformation campaigns tarnishing the country's image.
Key Takeaways
- US cuts aid to South Africa over land policy
- DIRCO criticizes inaccuracies in US claims
- Trump's order linked to Afrikaner land ownership issues
- South Africa's Expropriation Act faces US scrutiny
- President Ramaphosa open to dialogue with US
Johannesburg, Feb 9 (NationPress) South Africa has raised alarms regarding a recent executive order from the US aimed at reducing financial support to the nation, as stated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
President Donald Trump signed the executive order on Friday, citing dissatisfaction with South Africa's land policy and alleging that the country is "seizing agricultural property from ethnic minority Afrikaners." This decision coincides with South Africa's ongoing legal action against Israel, a US ally, at the International Court of Justice, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
In 2023, the United States had allocated approximately $440 million in aid to South Africa, as per US media.
The dispute escalated earlier this week when Trump threatened to withdraw funding in response to the newly enacted Expropriation Act, which permits public institutions to expropriate land for the public good.
DIRCO expressed serious concern, stating, "The foundational premise of this order is factually inaccurate and disregards South Africa's significant and painful colonial and apartheid history."
Furthermore, DIRCO criticized what it perceives as a campaign of misinformation aimed at distorting the image of South Africa, expressing disappointment that such narratives are gaining traction among US policymakers.
The statement also pointed out the irony of the US government offering refuge to the "most economically privileged" Afrikaners while simultaneously deporting individuals from other nations and asylum seekers.
Within the executive order, the US administration claimed it cannot endorse the alleged human rights violations by the South African government and instructed its agencies to cease aid, while providing refugee status to Afrikaner farmers.
President Cyril Ramaphosa responded on Monday, rejecting the notion that the Expropriation Act is intended to seize land and expressing a willingness to discuss land reform and other bilateral matters with the Trump administration.
