Global powers rally behind SA as US cuts aid

Cape Town – Several countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union, have pledged their support for South Africa after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting aid to the country.

Germany’s ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, reaffirmed shared values, while Italy’s ambassador, Alberto Vecchi, and France’s ambassador, David Martinon, emphasised commitments to multilateralism, democracy, and non-racialism.

The EU highlighted its strong economic partnership with South Africa, while China also pledged continued support, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi set to attend the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg.

France 🇫🇷, the EU 🇪🇺 , Germany 🇩🇪 and Italy 🇮🇹 as well as the other member states share with South Africa 🇿🇦 a common attachment to multilateralism, the rule of law, non-racialism, non-sexism and the rules-based imternational order.

Here is a video of our Ambassadors 👇… https://t.co/ss8Eqml6LR

— France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi (@FrenchEmbassyZA) February 11, 2025

Tensions between the US and South Africa have also escalated over Pretoria’s legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its diplomatic ties with Iran.

The US embassy accused South Africa of siding against Washington and supporting “bad actors.”

Despite US opposition, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to its G20 presidency, with the summit set to proceed under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”.