EFF Slams Ramaphosa’s Meeting with Trump, Rejects ‘Imperialist Agenda’
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have launched a scathing critique of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump, labeling the encounter a “disgraceful outing” that undermines South Africa’s sovereignty and dignity.
In a fiery press briefing held at the party’s headquarters, EFF leader Julius Malema declared that his party “will not succumb to Donald Trump’s imperialism,” accusing Ramaphosa of pandering to Western interests at the expense of African autonomy.
“Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump was nothing short of an embarrassment to the values of Pan-Africanism. We cannot sit back while our president legitimizes a man whose legacy is rooted in racism, neocolonialism, and economic domination of the Global South,” Malema said, donning the party’s signature red beret.
The EFF’s comments come on the heels of a widely publicized meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump during a diplomatic visit to the United States.
While the South African presidency framed the visit as part of efforts to attract investment and improve bilateral relations, the EFF views it as a betrayal of the anti-imperialist principles enshrined in South Africa’s liberation struggle.
“Donald Trump represents everything Africa must reject, white supremacy, capitalism without conscience, and a disregard for human dignity.
“Ramaphosa’s handshake with Trump is a slap in the face of Steve Biko, Chris Hani, and all who died fighting apartheid,” Malema continued.
The EFF also expressed concern that the meeting would embolden foreign powers to interfere in African politics and resources, particularly amid rising interest in the continent’s minerals and strategic partnerships.
Social media reactions to the EFF’s statement have been polarized, with supporters praising the party’s ideological consistency, while critics argue the party is playing populist politics at the expense of national diplomacy.
As South Africa balances its global alliances, the EFF’s sharp rebuke underscores deepening divisions over how the country should navigate its post-apartheid identity in a multipolar world.
