This week, the BRICS coalition, which includes South Africa, remained notably quiet as their president faced intense scrutiny during a meeting at the White House over criticism surrounding violent rhetoric aimed at white farmers in his nation.
During a meeting on Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with President Donald Trump, which was supposed to be about fostering trade relations and economic collaboration. Instead, Trump confronted Ramaphosa regarding the alarming violent incidents against white farmers, presenting video evidence of radical leftists calling for action from the South African government to address the ongoing human rights crisis.
Prior to this meeting, the Trump administration accepted 49 South African individuals as refugees. Ramaphosa dismissed their status, labeling them as “co-sick people.”
The meeting in the White House marked an embarrassing moment for the South African government. The ruling party, which leans toward Marxism, has established a formidable alliance with nations like Russia and China, but their geopolitical allies have offered little to defend South Africa from grave allegations of enabling genocidal actions.
This lack of support from BRICS nations signals a reality that the cohesiveness of these partnerships might be overstated, as there seems to be minimal shared interest beyond opposing America’s economic and political influence.
Trump’s concerns about the situation in South Africa highlight the rampant violent crimes targeting white farmers. He noted that some South African politicians have openly discussed the mass killing of white citizens. A significant concern has been the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), known for their inflammatory chants like “kill the farmers,” a slogan led by Julius Malema, which incites violence and prompts crowds to simulate gunfire.
The EFF released a statement on Wednesday, lambasting Trump, concluding with a provocative chant of “Kill Bohr, kill the farmers! Victory is guaranteed!”
South Africa is a core member of BRICS, which also includes Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The coalition expanded in 2024 to include Ethiopia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran. Following a summit last year in Kazan, Russia, the group established a secondary membership tier, adding 13 partner states including Cuba, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria.
During the reporting period, no foreign ministry from any BRICS member expressed support for Ramaphosa amidst the conflict with Trump. This silence included key members like Brazil, Russia, India, and China. News outlets from Iran and China claimed Trump’s allegations regarding genocide in South Africa were unfounded, despite the video evidence presented.
Iran’s news platform argued that Trump’s claims were “basically unfounded” and backed South Africa’s controversial policies.
PressTV stated, “The South African government’s long-standing positive conduct law aims to rectify historical injustices faced by black populations due to apartheid, which marginalized them significantly.”
Citing an unnamed “expert,” it was suggested that Trump’s worries were without merit.
Similarly, Chinese state media described Trump’s remarks as a collection of “conspiracy theories” and criticized his dismissal of evidence showing systematic violence against white citizens in South Africa.
This collective silence highlights the absence of motivation for BRICS countries to rally behind one another. The coalition has already shown signs of internal discord, particularly between India and China over various issues. India notably expressed support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, revealing a stark divide within the group.
Minor disputes among BRICS states, like those between Egypt and Ethiopia, have further complicated major meetings, especially as they pursue permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Amidst Trump’s accusations, core BRICS members chose not to defend South Africa during the recent Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
The vulnerability of BRICS to external attacks, particularly from the US, raises questions about the group’s legitimacy as a coalition representing the “global South” seeking to diminish America’s influence in the international arena.
The upcoming BRICS summit is slated for July in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira expressed in February, “We will make significant decisions to foster cooperation and enhance the lives of residents across these nations.”
