The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have strongly criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reported plans to engage diplomatically with former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing the move as “politically misguided and morally compromising.”
In a sharply worded statement, the EFF accused the Trump administration of having no genuine interest in South Africa’s development or socio-political realities. The party highlighted Trump’s history of promoting misinformation about the country, including debunked claims of “white genocide” and the alleged persecution of Afrikaner minorities.
The EFF referred to Trump as a “short-sighted white supremacist,” arguing that he has used false narratives about South Africa to advance a global right-wing agenda. “The myth of a white genocide in South Africa has been a convenient lie for white supremacists like Trump, who seek to undermine our country’s moral authority while defending Israel’s genocidal policies,” the statement read.
The party expressed concern that Ramaphosa’s engagement with Trump would legitimize these tactics and weaken South Africa’s sovereignty. “This meeting serves no national interest. It damages our reputation as an anti-imperialist nation and betrays progressive movements worldwide,” the EFF said.
While the Presidency has not officially confirmed any planned meeting, reports suggest Ramaphosa may be seeking discussions with Trump on economic or diplomatic cooperation. The EFF’s condemnation reflects broader debates about South Africa’s foreign policy direction amid shifting global power dynamics.
Political analysts note that the EFF’s stance reinforces its ideological opposition to what it views as neocolonial influences and harmful international alliances. The party continues to position itself as a vocal critic of both the ANC government’s decisions and global hypocrisy, particularly on issues of racial justice and anti-imperialism.
The EFF’s statement concludes with a call for South Africa to reject engagements that compromise its principles: “We cannot normalize relations with those who actively distort our reality and undermine African liberation.”