US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration is halting all federal funding to South Africa, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Trump’s decision follows his earlier executive order cutting US financial assistance to South Africa, citing concerns over its land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
In a Truth Social post, Trump also offered a “rapid pathway to citizenship” for South African farmers and their families seeking to leave the country for safety reasons, stating the process would begin immediately.
South Africa responded cautiously, with presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya rejecting “megaphone diplomacy” and reaffirming the country’s commitment to a respectful and independent bilateral relationship.
The move threatens US foreign assistance commitments to South Africa, which amounted to $323.4 million in 2024, according to US government data.
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