Government responds to US president Trump’s plan to “resettle” South African farmers

The South African government has strongly rejected the recent executive order issued by US President Donald Trump, which outlines plans for the resettlement of white South African farmers and their families in the United States.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) expressed deep concern over the order, criticising it as factually inaccurate and reflective of a misleading narrative about South Africa’s history and socio-economic landscape.

In an official statement, DIRCO said that the order appears to be based on misinformation and propaganda, misrepresenting the realities of South Africa’s past and present.

The department noted with disappointment that such narratives have seemingly influenced decision-makers in the United States.

South Africa’s government also highlighted the irony of the US granting refugee status to a group that remains among the most economically privileged in the country while simultaneously denying asylum to vulnerable people from other regions.

South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy, stating that any misunderstandings or disputes should be resolved through constructive dialogue rather than unilateral actions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office also issued a response, underscoring that South Africa remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law.

The statement clarified that the recently enacted Expropriation Bill does not constitute land confiscation but provides a legal framework for land redistribution in a fair and lawful manner.

The government maintains that land reform is necessary to address historical inequalities and drive economic growth.

Despite these clarifications, President Trump’s executive order signed on February 7 marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Pretoria.

The order directs US agencies to prioritise the admission of white South African farmers under the United States Refugee Admissions Program.

Trump and other figures within his administration have framed the situation as a human rights crisis, alleging that the South African government is targeting a particular group through land reform policies.

Alongside the resettlement initiative, Trump has followed through on his warnings to South Africa by freezing financial aid to the country.

He justified this decision by pointing to South Africa’s Expropriation Bill, which allows for land redistribution in the public interest.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the South African government is “confiscating land” and discriminating against “certain classes of people.”

Ramaphosa, in his State of the Nation Address (SoNA), reaffirmed South Africa’s sovereignty, stating, “We will not be bullied. We will stand together as a united nation.

We will speak with one voice in defence of our national interest, our sovereignty, and our constitutional democracy.”

While he did not explicitly mention Trump, his remarks were widely interpreted as a direct response to the US President’s actions.

As global political dynamics shift, the fallout from this executive order could have lasting implications for US-South Africa relations, trade, and diplomatic ties.

With South Africa standing firm on its land reform policies and the US taking an increasingly interventionist stance, the rift between the two nations may continue to widen in the coming months.