Zimbabwe's White Farmers Appeal to Trump in Decades-Old Compensation Dispute
White farmers in Zimbabwe are making a direct appeal to former US President Donald Trump, seeking his assistance in securing compensation for land that was seized from them more than a quarter of a century ago. This move highlights the ongoing and unresolved nature of one of southern Africa's most contentious historical issues, which continues to affect thousands of families and the region's agricultural economy.
The Long Road to Compensation
Around 4,000 farmers were displaced from their land during the sweeping land reform programme initiated in 2000 under former president Robert Mugabe. These seizures, which were part of a controversial effort to address colonial-era land imbalances, led to significant political violence and economic disruption. According to Human Rights Watch, at least seven white farmers were killed in political violence surrounding numerous hostile incidents between 2000 and 2001.
In 2020, Zimbabwe controversially agreed to pay compensation worth $3.5 billion (£2.6 billion) to thousands of affected white Zimbabwean farmers. However, the country's longstanding financial woes have severely stalled progress on these payments. By 2025, a full quarter of a century after the initial seizures, farmers had reportedly received only one per cent of their total compensation in cash, leaving the vast majority of the promised funds unpaid.
Lobbying Efforts and Political Connections
The Zimbabwean Property and Farm Compensation Association (Profca), one of several groups still seeking reparations, has approached American lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs LLC for assistance. Harry Orphanides, a member of Profca's executive board, confirmed to Bloomberg that Mercury is actively lobbying on their behalf to secure Trump's support for their cause.
According to documents seen by media outlets, Mercury was specifically asked to contact appropriate officials in the current administration and Congress to promote paying the Zimbabwean farmers. The lobbying firm has significant connections to Trump's political circle, with Trump's current chief of staff, Susie Wiles, having previously served as co-chair of Mercury. Additionally, Bryan Lanza, a current partner in the firm's Washington DC office, once worked as communications director for Trump's transition team.
Broader Regional Context and Trump's Stance
Separately, Trump has endorsed controversial claims about white people facing discrimination and systemic human rights abuses in neighbouring South Africa. The former president has repeatedly ordered an end to all US aid flowing to South Africa and expedited refugee applications for Afrikaners leaving the country last year, claiming they faced racial discrimination at home.
Trump told reporters in May of last year that farmers were being killed in South Africa, stating that whether they were white or black made no difference to him. This statement came as 59 South Africans were granted asylum in the US through fast-tracked procedures. However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly disputed these claims, calling the US assessment untrue and stating that those leaving did not meet the criteria for refugee status based on political, religious, or economic persecution.
Zimbabwe's Ongoing Challenges and Recent Developments
Zimbabwe itself has faced western sanctions since the Mugabe era, when the former president encouraged Black subsistence farmers and young people to invade white-owned farms across the country. Current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who replaced Mugabe following a 2017 coup, has attempted to ease sanctions and resolve the country's foreign debt crisis by offering compensation to farmers for infrastructure and land improvements.
The finance ministry had aimed to slash a 20-year repayment plan to just 10 years by 2023, raising money through treasury bills, but payments were subsequently delayed. In late 2024, the government agreed to pay an initial $20 million to both foreign white and local Black farmers who lost land during the farm invasions, as part of measures to restore the once prosperous farming sector. Despite these efforts, the compensation process remains largely incomplete, with farmers continuing to seek international support for their claims.
Mercury Public Affairs LLC did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding their lobbying activities on behalf of the Zimbabwean farmers. The situation continues to evolve as political dynamics in both the United States and southern Africa influence this decades-old dispute over land rights and compensation.
