Month: May 2025

Donald Trump’s sustained interest in South Africa, particularly around the issue of white Afrikaners, ties into a broader narrative popular among segments of the American far-right: the debunked “white genocide” conspiracy theory. This theory falsely claims that white South Africans, especially farmers, are being systematically targeted and exterminated by the post-apartheid government. In recent years, Trump has amplified these narratives by: Tweeting in 2018 that he had directed his Secretary of State to look into the “large-scale killing of farmers” in South Africa, a claim not supported by crime statistics or credible international watchdogs. Granting refugee status in 2025 to 49 white Afrikaners, despite the absence of clear evidence that they face targeted persecution based on race. Cutting U.S. aid to South Africa and threatening to boycott diplomatic meetings, signaling a deliberate cooling of relations over the perceived mistreatment of white minorities. Why the Obsession? Trump’s stance appeals to a subset of his political base that views global events through a racialized lens. This base, which includes white nationalist and alt-right groups, has long championed the idea of a white population under siege in South Africa as a cautionary tale about multiculturalism, immigration, and what they view as “anti-white” policies. His administration’s decision to grant asylum to white South Africans reflects ideological alignment with these groups and serves as a culture war talking point. It also distracts from more complex issues within South Africa, such as economic inequality, land reform, and high crime rates, none of which are exclusive to or targeted against white citizens. The Bigger Picture This fixation is not about humanitarian concern—it’s political theater. By spotlighting white South Africans, Trump bolsters a narrative of white victimhood that fuels nativist sentiment at home. It also aligns with a broader strategy of reframing international human rights issues to fit a domestic political agenda. To explore this issue further, you can watch the Al Jazeera investigation:Watch here👉 Why is Donald Trump fixated on South Africa?

A new World Bank report has revealed that Africa recorded a staggering $13 billion cereal trade deficit in 2023, warning that strained transport infrastructure and weak supply chains are hampering food security across the continent. The report, titled “Transport Connectivity for Food Security in Africa: Strengthening Supply Chains,” analyzed the movement of four major staples—cassava, maize, rice, and wheat—across national and regional borders. It found that most African countries remain heavily dependent on cereal imports, despite local production efforts. According to the World Bank, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, had a negative trade balance of $2 billion on cereals in 2023—the highest on the continent. In contrast, South Africa recorded a positive trade balance of $170 million. “Seven countries had negative cereal balances of more than $500 million, 24 had deficits between $100 million and $500 million, while 17 others had negative balances of up to $100 million,” the report stated. The report also pointed out a “spatial mismatch” in countries like Nigeria, where rice production in central regions outpaces local consumption, requiring improved transport systems to distribute surplus to deficit areas in the north and south. “Although countries like Nigeria, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are technically self-sufficient in rice, inefficient transport networks hinder effective distribution,” it added. The World Bank emphasized that about 50% of rice consumed in Sub-Saharan Africa is produced locally, but poor logistics, infrastructure gaps, and weak inter-regional links are undermining the full potential of local agricultural systems. The findings call for urgent investment in transport infrastructure, regional integration, and policy reform to strengthen food security and reduce import dependence across Africa.