Politics
US imposes visa restrictions on South African officials over alleged anti-white discrimination
September 16, 2026 at 07:28 AM · Updated 30d ago
Coverage
5 reports · 2 in Arabic, 3 in English · over 20 hours
AJAl Jazeera English
South Africa slam planned US sanctions over alleged racial discrimination
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
US to bar some South Africans over claims of anti-white discrimination
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera Arabic
سفير واشنطن بجنوب أفريقيا: قيود التأشيرات بداية إجراءات تصعيدية
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
South Africa-Trump row: US limits visas for officials over alleged anti-white discrimination
(opens the publisher’s site)SNSky News Arabia
واشنطن تفرض "سياسة تأشيرات" تستهدف مسؤولي جنوب إفريقيا
(opens the publisher’s site)The United States announced visa restrictions targeting South African officials it accuses of promoting discrimination against the country's white minority.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions targeting those who promote race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa.
- Rubio said the South African government had not adequately addressed US concerns over what Washington describes as government-sponsored discrimination against Afrikaners and other minorities.
- The US embassy in Pretoria said dialogue with South Africa had run its course, calling the restrictions the first step in a series of escalatory measures.
- The restrictions follow earlier US actions, including freezing aid in February 2025 and imposing 30% tariffs on South African exports in August.
- Earlier US steps included barring South Africa from the G20 and establishing a refugee programme for Afrikaners.
- South African officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the visa restrictions.
- South African Minister Ronald Lamola condemned the restrictions, saying they stem from 'mischaracterisations' promoted by 'fringe groups.'