• President Trump signs an executive order to freeze aid to South Africa over land expropriation law.
• The move offers resettlement opportunities for Afrikaners, which many reject as unnecessary.
• South African officials condemn Trump's claims of discrimination against the white minority.

In a dramatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump has frozen aid to South Africa amidst escalating tensions over a new land expropriation law. The executive order, signed on Friday, asserts the legislation enables the government to seize agricultural property from ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation, reflecting a “shocking disregard” for property rights.

Trump's actions come in the context of what his administration claims are human rights violations against some white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners — descendants of Dutch and French settlers who comprise around 7% of the population. In his order, Trump stated that as long as South Africa maintains these alleged discriminatory practices, the U.S. will halt all financial assistance and promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored racial discrimination.

However, local Afrikaner representatives, including the leaders of prominent groups such as Solidarity and AfriForum, have firmly rejected Trump’s resettlement offer, stating, “thanks, but no thanks.” They emphasized their commitment to staying in South Africa despite challenges, arguing that they wish to address and “tackle the injustices” of the historical context and not flee from it. Dirk Hermann, the CEO of Solidarity, asserted, “Our members work here and want to stay here; we are committed to building a future here.”

The South African government has vehemently denied claims of systemic violence against white farmers and criticized Trump's portrayal of the new expropriation law as misleading. The government has defended the act as a necessary measure to redress historical inequalities and to promote equitable land distribution. “The assertion that Afrikaners face arbitrary deprivation is devoid of all truth,” stated a spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, who recently signed the law.

In the backdrop of these developments, Trump's administration pointed to South Africa’s foreign policy decisions, which include accusations against Israel of committing genocide, further straining relations with U.S. allies. The president's executive order not only breaks down financial support, amounting to nearly $440 million allocated in 2023, but also reflects the growing rift between the U.S. and South Africa on international policy issues.

Despite the controversy, some Afrikaners have expressed that they appreciate the offer of asylum, though many find it inappropriate given their socio-economic standing and historical ties to their homeland. Werner van Niekerk, a resident of Cape Town, offered a mixed sentiment, suggesting it was a nice gesture but not a practical solution.

As tensions grow, the situation highlights deep-seated issues surrounding race, land ownership, and economic inequality in South Africa post-apartheid, raising questions about the future of U.S.-South African relations and the ongoing struggle for land reform. For more details, refer to Al Jazeera and AP News.