Africa
US WELCOMES WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS AS REFUGEES, STIRRING CONTROVERSY
A group of 59 white South Africans, mostly Afrikaners, arrived in the US on Monday, May 12, 2025, after being granted refugee status by the Trump administration. The move has sparked sharp criticism from Democrats, human rights advocates, and the South African government.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar welcomed the group at Dulles International Airport, handing out American flags and expressing support. “It is such an honour for us to receive you here today… it makes me so happy to see you with our flag in your hands,” Landau said, drawing parallels to his own family’s history of fleeing persecution.
President Donald Trump defended the decision, claiming that Afrikaners face “genocide” in South Africa due to alleged racial persecution. “It’s a genocide that’s taking place,” Trump told reporters, despite South Africa’s government vehemently denying these claims.
The South African government maintains that its land reform efforts aim to address historical injustices, not persecute anyone. President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had told Trump that his administration had received false information about white South Africans being discriminated against. “We think the American government has got the wrong end of the stick here, but we’ll continue talking to them,” Ramaphosa said.
The resettlement program has been criticized for prioritizing a historically privileged minority over genuinely vulnerable populations. Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, called the policy “a racialized immigration program masquerading as refugee resettlement.”
Laura Thompson Osuri, executive director of Homes Not Borders, criticized Trump’s policy, saying, “It’s for showing: ‘Look at us. We do welcome people as long as they look like us.'” Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen condemned the move, calling it “an outrageous insult to the whole idea of our country.”
The Episcopal Church ended its decades-long work with the US government supporting refugees, citing its commitment to racial justice and reconciliation. The church refused to help resettle the white South Africans.
The controversy highlights the stark racial disparities in South Africa, where white people own a disproportionate share of land and wealth. White South Africans typically have 20 times the wealth of Black people, and the Black unemployment rate is significantly higher than that of whites.
Trump’s decision has also raised questions about the US refugee program, which has been largely suspended for other applicants. The Trump administration’s move has sparked an outcry, with many questioning the motivations behind prioritizing white South Africans over other refugees.
At least 13 people have been confirmed dead in Malawi following days of heavy rainfall that triggered widespread flooding across several parts of the country, authorities have said.
According to disaster management officials, the relentless downpour caused rivers to overflow, sweeping away homes, farmlands, and critical infrastructure. Many families have been displaced, with emergency responders working to rescue stranded residents and provide temporary shelter.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in Malawi reported that the floods have affected multiple districts, particularly low-lying communities that are prone to seasonal flooding. Several people remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could increase as search and rescue operations continue.
Local authorities say roads and bridges have been severely damaged, complicating relief efforts and cutting off access to some rural areas. Humanitarian agencies have begun mobilizing aid, including food supplies, clean water, and medical assistance for affected communities.
Weather experts have warned that more rainfall is expected in the coming days, heightening the risk of further flooding and landslides. The government has urged residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to higher ground as a precaution.
Flooding is a recurring challenge in Malawi during the rainy season, often worsened by poor drainage systems, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to assess the full scale of the damage and coordinate long-term recovery plans for affected communities.
*South Africa’s Water Crisis Worsens as Criminal Gangs Exploit Shortages
By Ezinne Obah
South Africans are raising concerns that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the country’s deepening water crisis, turning a basic service failure into a growing public safety threat.
In parts of Johannesburg, residents say prolonged water outages; some lasting over a month, have left communities desperate, creating an opportunity for organised criminal networks to step in and profit. Locals report that gangs are exploiting the shortages by controlling access to water supplies and forcing residents to pay for services that should be publicly provided.
The crisis, driven by ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, and years of underinvestment, has already strained daily life. But the emergence of so-called “water mafias” has added a dangerous dimension, with reports suggesting that some criminal groups manipulate supply systems or insert themselves into distribution channels for financial gain.
Authorities have acknowledged the presence of organised networks linked to water tanker operations. Law enforcement officials say these groups sometimes demand payments from contractors or interfere with water delivery systems, further complicating efforts to provide relief to affected communities.
The growing crisis has triggered protests in several areas, with residents demanding reliable access to water, a right guaranteed under South Africa’s constitution. The situation has also intensified political pressure on the government, which has already identified organised crime and failing service delivery as major national challenges.
Analysts warn that if the crisis continues, it could deepen inequality, as poorer communities; unable to afford alternative water sources, remain the most vulnerable to both shortages and exploitation.
The developments highlight how infrastructure failures, when left unresolved, can create opportunities for criminal activity, turning essential services into commodities controlled by illicit networks.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take steps toward easing tensions following high-level talks held in Washington, D.C., signalling a renewed push to stabilise one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
According to a joint statement released after the March 17–18 meeting, both countries committed to “concrete steps” aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo and advancing the implementation of a previously signed peace agreement.
The talks, hosted by the United States, come amid escalating violence in eastern Congo, where fighting involving the M23 rebel group has continued despite earlier peace efforts. The conflict has strained relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of backing the rebels, an allegation Rwanda denies.
As part of the new understanding, both sides are expected to take measures addressing key security concerns, including the withdrawal of forces from contested areas and action against armed groups operating along their shared border.
The renewed diplomatic push follows mounting international pressure, including recent U.S. sanctions on Rwandan military officials over their alleged involvement in the conflict.
Despite the agreement, analysts caution that the path to lasting peace remains uncertain, as previous ceasefire deals have repeatedly collapsed amid continued fighting and mutual distrust.
Eastern Congo remains one of the world’s most complex conflict zones, with armed groups competing for control of mineral-rich territories, contributing to a prolonged humanitarian crisis.