South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denounced a visit by the Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum to the White House as detrimental to national unity. The group seeks support amid claims of rights violations against white farmers, following President Trump’s misleading statements about land expropriation. Ramaphosa advocates for addressing domestic issues directly rather than seeking international intervention, amidst ongoing tensions with the Trump administration and internal political strife.
On Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized a recent visit by the lobby group AfriForum, which advocates for the Afrikaner community, to the White House. This visit raised tensions with the Trump administration amid claims made by President Trump regarding the supposed mistreatment of white farmers in South Africa. Trump’s assertions include allegations of land expropriation directed at this demographic through recent legislation and critiques of South Africa’s stance on Israel at the International Court of Justice.
AfriForum reported that a delegation met with White House officials, as the organization expressed concerns over the U.S. administration’s executive order that halted aid to South Africa, citing human rights violations against Afrikaners. The lobby group posted images of their visit online, emphasizing their claims of growing threats to the Afrikaner community, particularly due to violent incidents affecting local farmers.
In response, Ramaphosa expressed the necessity of solving national problems domestically rather than seeking external validation or assistance. He emphasized, “That is not a nation-building process of running around the world to try and have your problems solved; you are just sowing divisions.” He further underscored the importance of addressing issues within South Africa to uphold the nation’s sovereignty.
There have been reports of strained relations between South African diplomats and the Trump administration, contributing to the complex political landscape. Opposition parties and political entities in South Africa have condemned AfriForum’s actions as irresponsible and counterproductive, fueling a disinformation narrative that disrupts diplomatic efforts.
AfriForum’s CEO, Kallie Kriel, countered Ramaphosa’s allegations, attributing the country’s divisions to the African National Congress (ANC) leadership. He stated, “It’s President Ramaphosa that signed the Expropriation Act. It’s President Ramaphosa that refuses to condemn slogans such as kill the Boer.” This reflects the ongoing domestic strife regarding land policies and the perception of cultural threats to the Afrikaans-speaking community.
Furthermore, the political turmoil initiated by AfriForum has led to a treason complaint filed by Jacob Zuma’s political faction against the group, accusing them of manipulating sentiments to influence U.S. policy. Amid these controversies, a clear divide remains among South African leaders on the appropriate approach to resolve the tensions with international partners.
The visit to the White House by AfriForum representatives elicited a strong response from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who criticized the group’s actions as detrimental to national unity. While AfriForum claims to advocate for the rights of Afrikaners, the political divide in the country continues to widen, as evidenced by their perceived manipulation of international relations for domestic objectives. Calls for resolving issues internally resonate strongly in the current discourse on South Africa’s national integrity and sovereignty.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
