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White farmers seek Trump's help for unpaid Zimbabwe compensation
Aging white farmers in Zimbabwe, displaced over two decades ago during Robert Mugabe's land reforms, are turning to former U.S. President Donald Trump in hopes of recovering $3.5 billion in unpaid compensation from the government. Many see Trump's transactional politics and Zimbabwe's rare-earth mineral wealth as potential leverage to unlock the funds.
Background: Land seizures and economic collapse
In the early 2000s, Mugabe's government seized 4,500 predominantly white-owned farms-half of Zimbabwe's prime agricultural land-redistributing them to black Zimbabweans. The move, intended to address colonial-era land inequities, triggered economic turmoil. Around 2,500 white farmers were evicted, crippling the agricultural sector, once the backbone of the economy. Western sanctions, imposed in response to the chaotic reforms, further deepened the crisis.
Mnangagwa's broken promise
After Mugabe's ouster in 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged to compensate white farmers for infrastructure and land improvements, totaling $3.5 billion. However, Zimbabwe's staggering $23 billion debt has left the government unable to fulfill the commitment. Last year, it offered a partial solution: 1% of the compensation in cash and the remainder as 10-year treasury bonds with 2% biannual interest.
Only 17% of the 700 eligible farmers accepted the deal. Many, including a 90-year-old widow awaiting hundreds of thousands in compensation, fear they won't live to see the bonds mature. A former farmer, speaking anonymously, called the offer "a gamble with no guarantees."
Trump's role and divided loyalties
Some farmers see Trump as a potential ally, citing his 2024 intervention in South Africa, where he advocated for white Afrikaner farmers facing alleged persecution-a claim widely disputed. While Trump offered U.S. refugee status to South African farmers, Zimbabwe's displaced community prefers compensation over relocation.
A Washington-based lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs, has been engaged to press the U.S. government to support Zimbabwe's debt clearance in exchange for settling the farmers' claims. The firm, with ties to Trump's administration, previously represented Zimbabwe's foreign ministry to improve U.S. relations post-Mugabe.
However, the farming community is split. The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), representing the majority, distanced itself from the lobbyists, accusing OB Projects Management-a South African consultancy-of acting without their consent. A CFU member told the BBC they seek "fair compensation aligned with international standards" and are engaging Western embassies independently.
Mining wealth and political risks
Zimbabwe's vast lithium, cobalt, and rare-earth mineral deposits are central to the farmers' strategy. A 2020 Mercury filing highlighted the country's untapped potential, listing 12 sites with commercial deposits. Some farmers hope U.S. interest in critical minerals could expedite compensation, while others fear Trump's involvement could strain Harare-Washington relations, as it did in South Africa.
"Trump's approach was too racialized," said a 53-year-old farmer, wary of foreign interference. Others argue that sanctions or tariffs could destabilize Zimbabwe's fragile economy. A former farmer in his 80s likened the gamble to "walking a tightrope," adding, "With Trump, who knows? Things might go sideways."
Government's stance and uncertain path forward
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube previously called the bonds the "last chance" for compensation but recently told AFP that external intervention "isn't necessarily bad." He reaffirmed Zimbabwe's commitment to paying but acknowledged the need for offshore financing to accelerate the process.
A U.S. congressional bill, introduced by Republican Brian Mast, proposes repealing the 2001 Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA)-which blocks international loans to Zimbabwe-if the government settles the farmers' debt within 12 months. The bill, however, faces a lengthy legislative process.
"We are committed to paying, and if others help us pay faster, we have no problems with that."
Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe Finance Minister
The BBC has sought comment from Zimbabwe's government on Mercury's latest involvement but has not yet received a response.
