South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that his country would “not be bullied” following comments from U.S. President Trump about cutting funding over land reform laws. Addressing geopolitical tensions, Ramaphosa emphasized national unity and a renewed focus on economic reforms aimed at growth, particularly through state-owned enterprise revitalization and infrastructure development. South Africa’s leadership in the upcoming G20 presidency underlines its commitment to advancing Africa’s interests internationally.
In a recent address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa asserted that South Africa would “not be bullied,” responding to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump concerning funding cuts due to land reform policies. While Ramaphosa did not directly reference Trump, he acknowledged the increasing global geopolitical tensions and emphasized the need for national unity. He stated, “We will stand together as a united nation, and we will speak with one voice in defense of our national interests.”
Trump’s comments included claims about land confiscation and bad treatment of certain groups in South Africa, which he linked to a law aimed at addressing racial disparities in land ownership. His remarks were made without providing any evidence and accompanied by threats to withdraw U.S. funding. Ramaphosa’s address came amidst noteworthy criticism from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio concerning South Africa’s actions on the global stage.
As South Africa assumes the G20 presidency until November 2025, Ramaphosa aims to use this platform to advocate for African interests. The G20 foreign ministers will convene in Johannesburg on February 20-21, where the focus will include promoting solidarity and sustainability. Ramaphosa’s leadership comes during a challenging period, as his coalition government seeks to stabilize the economy.
In his address, Ramaphosa outlined plans for a second wave of reforms to elevate economic growth beyond the anticipated 1.8 percent this year. He also highlighted initiatives to strengthen public enterprises like Eskom, the power utility, and Transnet, the logistics firm. Ramaphosa emphasized infrastructure investments as critical to revitalizing the economy and improving public services.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, delivered an important speech responding to international criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding South Africa’s land reform legislation. The comments raised alerts about the geopolitical climate and the need for South Africa to protect its national interests while asserting its role as the first African presidency of the G20. This period marks a significant transition for South Africa, as it aligns its policies with broader continental interests and economic development efforts.
Ramaphosa’s address reinforces South Africa’s stance of sovereignty in the face of international pressure. Emphasizing unity and the protection of national interests, he outlined key reform strategies aimed at economic growth while enhancing state enterprises and infrastructure investment. With the G20 presidency on the horizon, the country seeks to elevate its profile on the international stage and advocate for the Global South’s priorities amid rising global tensions.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
