In his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that the country will “never allow forced displacements again”. He acknowledged the painful history of forced displacement experienced by many South Africans and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that such practices do not occur in the future.
Ramaphosa emphasised South Africa’s vision of a nation where everyone has equal value and opportunity, and where the rule of law is upheld and protected. He called for unity among South Africans, particularly in the face of global challenges, and stressed that the country must address its own problems without relying on external intervention.
The president’s comments come amid tensions over a land expropriation law that aims to redress historical injustices in land ownership, a legacy of colonialism and apartheid. The law has also been criticised by figures including US President Donald Trump, who recently issued an executive order freezing all US financial aid to South Africa over concerns about the law and the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Ramaphosa also discussed South Africa’s role in regional diplomacy, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He welcomed the recent summit between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) in Tanzania, which agreed to direct dialogue with all parties, including the M23 rebels. The summit was part of efforts to promote sustainable peace and reduce the presence of SADC troops in the region.