The EFF has issued a strong response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, which offers resettlement in the US for Afrikaners as part of its Refugee Admissions Program.
Revoke citizenship if Afrikaners take US refugee deal, EFF demands
The party has called for the South African government to revoke the citizenship of any Afrikaner who takes up refugee status in the US, labelling the move as an attack on the country’s sovereignty.
According to the EFF’s statement, the executive order is based on misinformation, particularly regarding South Africa’s land reform policies.
Trump has accused South Africa of confiscating land without compensation, though President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration denies this, stating that the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 is aimed at addressing racial disparities in land ownership.
The EFF insists that no one in South Africa is being persecuted and that any Afrikaner seeking refugee status should automatically lose their South African citizenship.
“Further to this, South Africa must revoke the citizenship of any individual who assumes refugee status in the USA on the basis of this Executive Order, as it would be a declaration of the belief that South Africa’s laws which seek to promote equality and social cohesion are not in sync with such an individual’s values,” the party wrote.
The party argues that individuals who flee the country under the pretence of discrimination are aligning themselves with US imperialism and misinformation.
“No one is being persecuted in South Africa. To flee to the USA under this pretence should result in an immediate revoking of citizenship. No one who supports an attack on our sovereignty should retain South African citizenship,” the EFF stated.
What the party said about the Executive Order
The EFF has slammed Trump’s sanctions on South Africa, calling them a punishment for the country’s stance against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The US cited South Africa’s growing relations with Iran and its genocide case against Israel as additional reasons for imposing sanctions.
The EFF described the executive order as “retribution against South Africa at the behest of Apartheid Israel because South Africa has been at the centre of exposing the murderous Israeli regime which has killed more than 100,000 Palestinian men, women and children.”
The party accused the US of acting on behalf of Israel, stating that Trump’s real motive is to protect Israeli interests rather than concern for Afrikaners.
The EFF further demanded that South Africa cut all diplomatic ties with Israel, including the expulsion of the Israeli Embassy, a resolution previously discussed in Parliament.
“As such, and considering that the real reason for effectively severing diplomatic relations with South Africa by the U.S is our firm position against Israel, the EFF calls for the immediate implementation of the resolution by the 6th National Assembly of South Africa to expel the Israeli Embassy and cut all diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.”
The party also urged the South African government to strengthen relations with BRICS nations, including Russia and China, to reduce economic reliance on the US.