Dirco
Pretoria, Gauteng – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has hit back at AfriForum for welcoming the United States government’s new refugee policy that prioritises Afrikaners, accusing the lobby group of hypocrisy and undermining South Africa’s sovereignty. In a formal Presidential Determination published in the Federal Register, US President Donald Trump set a ceiling of 7,500 refugees for the 2026 fiscal year, the lowest in American history, and directed that most of those places be reserved for white Afrikaners. The Trump administration justified the move by citing alleged ‘targeted discrimination and insecurity’ faced by the minority group. The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Pretoria, which described it as politically motivated and contrary to international refugee principles. Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the department rejected both Washington’s approach and AfriForum’s endorsement of it. “AfriForum’s logic: We support the rule of law only if the SA courts rule in our favour. If they don’t, we cry to foreign governments and undermine our country’s sovereignty,” Phiri said. AfriForum, however, defended its support of the US policy, claiming it reflected legitimate international concern for Afrikaners’ safety. “The US embassy and Donald Trump’s concerns regarding the well-being of Afrikaners are understandable, given that President Cyril Ramaphosa and the courts still refuse to condemn the call for the murder of Afrikaners through the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant,” AfriForum said. The lobby group has long accused the South African government of ignoring attacks on white farmers and failing to protect minority communities, claims repeatedly rejected by official crime data and independent studies.
Background on Trump’s Refugee Policy Shift
The US policy, effective for fiscal year 2026, drastically cuts refugee admissions to 7,500 – a record low – from previous caps like 125,000. Priority is given to Afrikaners and other racial minorities from South Africa facing “illegal or unjust discrimination.” Trump has justified this by highlighting alleged “mass slaughter” of Christians by “radical Islamists” in Nigeria and similar threats to Afrikaners, though without evidence. The US Embassy in Pretoria has outlined eligibility: applicants must be South African nationals of Afrikaner ethnicity or racial minorities facing discrimination. In May 2025, the first group of Afrikaner refugees arrived in the US, sparking debates on religious resistance and policy implications.
South Africa’s government views the policy as a distortion of facts, with Dirco arguing it promotes a narrative of religious intolerance that doesn’t match reality. “The characterisation of South Africa as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” a statement echoed.
AfriForum’s Stance and Long-Standing Campaign
AfriForum has campaigned globally on “farm murders” and discrimination against Afrikaners, often citing exaggerated statistics rejected by experts. Their support for Trump’s policy aligns with efforts to seek international intervention, including lobbying in the US and Australia. The group claims government failures, like not condemning “Kill the Boer” chants, justify the priority status.
Critics, including Dirco, accuse AfriForum of hypocrisy for backing foreign policies while challenging local courts. Phiri’s statement pointed to their selective adherence to rule of law, only when it favours them.
South Africa’s Official Response and Diplomatic Fallout
Dirco has criticised the US move as “politically motivated,” undermining sovereignty and international norms. The policy has strained SA-US relations, with calls for dialogue to address misconceptions. Nigeria faced similar threats from Trump over Christian persecutions, prompting proposals for talks.
Human rights groups argue the policy racialises refugee admissions, ignoring broader African crises. South Africa’s diverse society, with protections for minorities, contrasts with AfriForum’s narrative.
Broader Implications for South Africa and International Relations
This dispute highlights tensions over minority rights and foreign influence in domestic affairs. AfriForum’s actions could fuel divisions, while the government’s firm stance defends national unity. As global partners like the US prioritise certain groups, it raises questions on equity in refugee policies.
For now, Dirco urges focus on facts, rejecting claims that erode South Africa’s image as a rainbow nation. The debate continues, with both sides standing firm on their views of justice and sovereignty.
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