South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the visit of the Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum to the White House, due to rising tensions with the Trump administration. The lobby group’s meeting followed accusations from Trump regarding human rights violations against the white minority community in South Africa, particularly concerning land issues. Ramaphosa advocates for resolving domestic matters without international intervention, warning that the lobby group’s actions could undermine national unity.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa recently criticized the visit of an Afrikaner lobby group to the White House, amid escalating tensions with the Trump administration. The lobby group, AfriForum, met with White House officials after President Trump issued an executive order halting U.S. aid to South Africa, alleging human rights violations against the white minority community.
Trump has inaccurately accused the South African government of land seizures from white farmers, referring to the Expropriation Act, and has offered refugee status to the Afrikaner community in the U.S. AfriForum maintains that the Afrikaner population is under threat due to land policies and the violence faced by farmers.
During a media briefing, Ramaphosa emphasized the necessity of addressing domestic issues rather than seeking international intervention, stating that such actions undermine national unity. He remarked, “That is not a nation-building process of running around the world to try and have your problems solved.”
As Ramaphosa seeks to negotiate with the Trump administration, South African political entities criticized AfriForum’s actions as reckless and damaging to the country’s integrity. AfriForum’s CEO Kallie Kriel rebutted these accusations, arguing that it is Ramaphosa’s administration that is causing division and ignoring the concerns of the Afrikaner community.
In summary, President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly condemned the Afrikaner lobby group’s visit to the White House, arguing it fosters division and detracts from addressing domestic challenges. The ongoing tensions between the South African government and the Trump administration highlight a complex landscape concerning human rights, land reform, and diplomatic relations. Critics from South Africa have expressed that such actions from AfriForum are detrimental to national unity.
Original Source: apnews.com
