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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have issued a strong response to U.S. President Mr Donald Trump’s recent threat to cut foreign aid and impose sanctions on South Africa.

President Trump made the threat in response to South Africa’s adoption of legislation that permits the expropriation of land without compensation. The policy is part of broader efforts to address the country’s historical race-based inequalities.

EFF President Mr Julius Malema condemned President Trump’s comments, calling them offensive and an infringement on South Africa’s sovereignty. He further described the remarks as a stark reminder of how the country’s reliance on foreign aid and investment leaves it vulnerable to imperialist influence, with powerful nations dictating Africa’s economic and policy direction.

In his statement, Mr Malema said: “The statement by President Donald Trump is offensive and undermines our sovereignty and is a reminder that our reliance on foreign aid and foreign direct investment surrenders us to the will of imperialists, who use money to dictate the economic and policy direction of Africa.”

Mr Malema said the EFF remains committed to pursuing land expropriation without compensation despite external threats. “We want to make it categorically clear to President Trump that we are going to expropriate land without compensation and pursue legislative measures to do so, and no threat will stop us,” Mr Malema asserted.

The EFF president also criticized President Trump’s misunderstanding of the Expropriation Act, which South Africa has introduced as part of a mild intervention to begin addressing the legacy of apartheid.

Mr Malema said the full land reform process would be carried out through constitutional amendments by the South African government, and no external pressure would alter the country’s commitment to this cause.

“His misinterpretation of the Expropriation Act, which is a mild and cosmetic intervention, is an assessment of a measure that is going to be pursued through the amendment of our Constitution as South Africans, and there is nothing he can do to undermine our independence,” Mr Malema added.

The EFF also reaffirmed its broader stance on reducing dependence on Western powers.

Mr Malema called for strengthening South Africa’s state capacity and building a robust agricultural and industrial economy that is less reliant on foreign powers.

He also called for deeper trade relations with nations like China, Russia, and other BRICS countries, which, he argued, do not use foreign policy as a means of coercing other nations.

“The EFF reiterates its position that we must build state-capacity, build a strong agricultural and industrial nation which will not depend on the West, and intensify trade relations with progressive nations such as China, Russia and nations within BRICS, who do not use foreign policy as an instrument to impose their will or bully other nations into submission,” Mr Malema said.

In addition to addressing the US sanctions threat, Mr Malema also spoke out on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, welcoming the recent ceasefire.

The EFF leader condemned what he described as the Israeli government’s massacre of Palestinians, calling it a “genocide.”

Mr Malema criticized the international community for turning a blind eye to the human rights atrocities in Palestine, including the killing of women and children, the bombing of hospitals and schools, and the displacement of Palestinians from their land.

For Mr Malema, the situation in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the global need to address human rights abuses and take a stand against oppression.

“The EFF has welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza, following the massacre of Palestinians by Apartheid Israel and what can only be described as a genocide. For too long, the world has turned a blind eye to the human rights atrocities in Palestine, which include the killing of women and children, bombarding of hospitals, schools and religious sites of worship, and displacement of Palestinians from their rightful land,” Mr Malema said.

The EFF’s statements reflect the party’s ongoing commitment to land reform, national sovereignty, and human rights advocacy, despite the international challenges and pressure from powerful nations like the United States.