Alie Komape
Recently, former US President Donald Trump launched an attack on South Africa, accusing our country of human rights violations, land expropriation, and actions against our white citizens.
These allegations are not only baseless but also reflect a long-standing pattern of Western interference in the affairs of sovereign nations. South Africa must firmly reject these fascist claims and continue charting its independent course in both domestic and foreign policy.
At the heart of Trump’s accusations is an expectation that South Africa should submit to US dictates regarding its diplomatic ties and internal policies. This expectation is both arrogant and hypocritical - typical of imperial and fascist governments.
South Africa is a sovereign nation, and no foreign power has the right to determine its alliances or reprimand it for its diplomatic choices. The country’s commitment to multilateralism and its engagement with diverse global partners, including China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela and others, align with our national interests and the principles of international law.
One of the key points of contention has been South Africa’s stance on Apartheid Israel’s ongoing atrocities in Palestine.
Over the past year alone, Israel has killed over 50,000 innocent Palestinians, including thousands of children, while displacing millions. South Africa’s decision to refer Israel’s crimes to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is not only justified but is also supported by numerous countries and international human rights organizations.
The US, despite its claims of championing human rights, has consistently shielded Israel from accountability while condemning South Africa for standing on the side of justice.
Trump and his lackey Elon Musk have accepted an alternate reality where South African white farmers are being displaced and forcibly moved from their rightful lands and for that, the country must be punished with sanctions among other measures but Palestinians in Gaza must be forcibly moved to neighbouring countries for the safety of the Israeli settlers.
This double standard is glaring and unacceptable - it must be exposed for what it is, racist, imperial and fascist thinking.
For the United States, South Africa’s independent foreign policy is rooted in the legacy of our anti-Apartheid struggle that included giants such as Oliver Tambo, Ruth First, Ahmed Kathrada, Nelson Mandela and others who firmly stood against oppression in all its forms and no matter where it occurred - whether it was Israeli apartheid, US sanctions against Cuba or British imperial actions in Zambia.
Our government’s courageous actions against human rights violations should be applauded rather than condemned. The United States has no moral authority to lecture South Africa on human rights, given its track record of international interventions of an oppressive nature, military occupations, and support for regimes that suppress human rights.
Furthermore, the economic hypocrisy of the US must be highlighted. Washington urges South Africa to limit its economic ties with China, yet it remains one of China’s largest trading partners, with trade between the two countries reaching more than $650 billion in 2024.
Similarly, while the US pressures South Africa to distance itself from Russia, it is reportedly open to recognizing Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territories. These contradictions expose the US’s self-serving approach to international relations, where economic and geopolitical interests take precedence over the principles it claims to uphold.
Domestically, South Africa must also resist American interference in its land reform policies. The land expropriation law is aimed at correcting historical injustices and ensuring economic justice for the broader South African community.
The US and other Western powers have no right to dictate how South Africa addresses its own historical and socio-economic challenges. The allegations that this policy targets white citizens are not only misleading but also intentionally divisive, designed to undermine social cohesion and progress in the country. Typical fascist and imperial tactics.
The broader geopolitical implications of South Africa’s independent stance cannot be ignored.
By strengthening alliances with BRICS and other emerging economies, South Africa is positioning itself as a leader in Africa, free from neocolonial influence. The country’s solidarity with oppressed nations, particularly the Palestinians, and unjust policies against Cuba or Venezuela, enhances its global reputation as a champion of justice and human rights.
Additionally, economic diversification and strategic partnerships with developing nations protect South Africa from over-reliance on Western economies, ensuring greater economic sovereignty.
The US and other Western powers have long used economic pressure, media propaganda, and diplomatic coercion to force developing nations into submission.
South Africa must not yield to these tactics. Instead, it must strengthen cooperation with other developing countries to counter Western hegemony.
Public diplomacy and proactive engagement with global media will be key in countering negative narratives and ensuring that South Africa’s position is understood and respected internationally.
The allegations against South Africa are not just false; they are politically motivated attempts to undermine a country that refuses to be a puppet of Western powers and a growing fascist agenda. South Africa has a proud history of resisting oppression, from the struggle against apartheid to its unwavering support for global justice.
Today, that struggle continues, not only in defence of our sovereignty but in solidarity with all oppressed people across the world. We must remain resolute in our commitment to an independent foreign policy, human rights, and economic justice, no matter the pressures we face.
We must increase our resistance to the current Western machinations before it is too late. The time for broad-based South African coalitions of civil society organizations to form a front against US imperial and fascist interventions is more urgent than ever.
* Alie Komape is an activist with the largest Palestine Human Rights Organization in Africa, #Africa4Palestine.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.