The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has criticised a new travel ban on 19 countries made by US President Donald Trump, which stops people from these countries from entering the US.
Sinawo Thambo, EFF spokesperson, highlighted that most of these countries are in Africa. And he described the ban as racist and xenophobic.
Some of the affected countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Chad, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan.
Racist paranoia
“This executive order, dripping with the same racist paranoia that has fuelled violent immigration policies in the US for decades, represents an attack on the Global South,” said Thambo.
He opposed the reasoning behind the executive order, emphasising that it is untrue that people from these countries are dangerous. Thambo said the idea stems from racist beliefs that have existed in the US for years.
He said these nations have been harmed by the US wars, sanctions, and secret actions. These countries are not dangerous, but are in trouble due to what the US and the West have done to them, he added.
“From the destruction of Libya to the destabilisation of Yemen, these countries are not exporting terror. They are victims of American and Western imperialism. What the US calls terrorism is often a desperate response to decades of military occupation, economic strangulation, and violent regime change.
Sporting bodies urged to ban US
“Nations like Cuba and Venezuela, which have been targeted for their sovereign decision to follow socialist paths, continue to suffer under sanctions and blockades. Now, they are once again punished, this time through discriminatory immigration policy, for daring to resist US hegemony,” said Thambo.
The travel ban does not affect athletes who will compete in the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics. And the EFF said this is hypocritical.
He called on Fifa and the International Olympic Committee to stop the US from hosting international sports events. Thambo said the US is not a safe place for people from the Global South. US immigration system is harmful and unfair, he added.
He said the EFF will stand with all countries and people affected by the travel ban. It will continue to fight against what they refer to as the US imperialism.
