U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will stop all federal funding to South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s governance and policies. In a statement on Truth Social on Friday, Trump also pledged to provide a “rapid pathway to citizenship” for South African farmers and their families seeking to flee the country for safety reasons.
“To go a step further, any Farmer (with family!) from South Africa, seeking to flee that country for reasons of safety, will be invited into the United States of America with a rapid pathway to Citizenship,” Trump wrote. He added that the process would begin immediately.
The U.S. provided $323.4 million (Ksh.41.56 billion) in foreign assistance to South Africa in 2024, according to official government data. This funding supported various programs, including health initiatives, economic development, and governance support. It remains unclear whether Trump’s declaration would affect all forms of U.S. aid, including programs run through independent agencies.
Trump’s statement follows recent tensions between Washington and Pretoria, particularly over South Africa’s foreign policy stance and its relationship with global powers such as Russia and China. The move is likely to spark diplomatic discussions, with South African officials expected to respond to the decision in the coming days.
The proposed fast-track citizenship offer for South African farmers echoes Trump’s previous stance on immigration policies favoring specific groups. However, it remains uncertain how such a program would be implemented if he were to return to office.
