USA toughens course against South Africa for alleged discrimination against white minorities

The US government has tightened its stance towards South Africa. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday (local time) that he would revoke visas of South African officials or reject visa applications if, according to the US government, those affected were involved in discriminatory laws and measures against white and other minorities. These included regulations that enabled land expropriation without compensation or racial discrimination. Those who call for violence against whites and other minorities could also be affected.

“The United States will not let such behavior go unpunished,” Rubio said. "These actions directly undermine peace, economic stability and the rule of law and are inconsistent with the tenets of American foreign policy."

Trump had already stopped US financial aid to South Africa last year and set up a refugee program for white South Africans. He justified this with the accusation that the South African government was discriminating against landowners for allegedly racist motives and fomenting violence against them. He made particular reference to the descendants of predominantly Dutch and French settlers who came to the country in the 17th century. Of the approximately 62 million inhabitants of South Africa, around 2.7 million are descendants of white settlers.