AfriForum Appeals to Trump: Target ANC Leaders, Not South African Citizens

In a bold move that has escalated international attention towards South Africa, the civil rights organization AfriForum is set to send a striking appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to recalibrate his proposed sanctions against South Africa to specifically target senior African National Congress (ANC) leaders instead of the broader citizenry. This appeal follows Trump's stark criticism over South Africa's land expropriation policies and alleged human rights infringements.

On the evening of February 2, 2025, President Trump voiced his discontent through a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that South Africa "is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY," describing these actions as a "massive Human Rights VIOLATION." Trump also announced his intention to cut off all future funding to South Africa pending a thorough investigation into these allegations.

In response to this growing international challenge, AfriForum is pushing back by emphasizing that any U.S. actions should avoid inflicting further hardship on South Africa’s economically strained citizens. Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, expressed his concern about the negative repercussions that such broad sanctions could have on the populace and highlighted the need for targeted measures against the ANC leadership, whom they hold responsible for the current contentious policies.

Moreover, AfriForum is advocating for legislative change within South Africa itself. The organization is calling for substantial amendments to the Expropriation Act, aiming to bolster the safeguarding of property rights in a bid to stabilize investor confidence, which has been shaken by the government’s recent legislative maneuvers.

The broader Solidarity Movement, which includes AfriForum, is expected to articulate a more comprehensive response to President Trump's alarming statements regarding South Africa. The movement’s stance aligns with AfriForum’s belief in redirecting punitive measures from the South African public to its governing body, which they assert bears the ultimate responsibility for the nation's disconcerting policies.

As South Africa navigates through this precarious period of intense scrutiny and rising international tensions, the outcome of AfriForum's plea to President Trump could significantly influence both domestic policy and international relations.