Cape Independence Group Appeals to Trump for Western Cape Secession

By Echos News Editorial Team
Published: May 21, 2026

Western Cape – The Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) has written directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, asking him to back its campaign for the Western Cape to break away from South Africa. The letter, dated 21 May 2026, calls for international support to secure a referendum on secession.

CIAG’s Direct Appeal

Phil Craig, co-founder of the CIAG, signed the open letter to Trump. He thanked the U.S. President for his refugee programme but argued that a homeland would be more meaningful than relocation. Craig urged Washington to publicly support the Western Cape’s right to determine its constitutional future.

“We ask that the United States publicly support the democratic right of the people of the Western Cape to determine their own constitutional future through a referendum,” Craig wrote. He added that engagement with both the South African National Government and the Western Cape Provincial Government was essential.

Trump’s Controversial Role

The CIAG praised Trump for speaking openly about South Africa, particularly his repeated claims of a “white genocide.” Trump has previously offered refugee protection to Afrikaners, a move that Craig acknowledged but described as insufficient. “Africa is our home. We can flee, and it is a statistical fact that many have chosen to do so, but to flee is to surrender,” Craig stated.

The group insists that secession is the only sustainable solution for Afrikaners and other minorities who feel marginalised under South Africa’s current political framework.

Background and Political Context

The CIAG was founded in 2020 and has consistently campaigned for a lawful referendum on independence. The Democratic Alliance, which governs the Western Cape, has refused to call such a vote. This refusal has pushed the CIAG to seek international allies, with Trump now being directly approached.

Trump’s comments on South Africa have drawn criticism both locally and abroad. The FW de Klerk Foundation has dismissed his claims of racial extermination, while the U.S. State Department has expressed frustration with Pretoria’s foreign policy decisions. Despite this, Trump has doubled down on his genocide claims, most recently at the World Economic Forum.

Reactions and Next Steps

The CIAG’s letter is expected to stir debate within South Africa. No official response has yet been issued by the South African government or the Western Cape Provincial Government. Analysts note that international involvement in secessionist movements could complicate diplomatic relations.

For now, the CIAG continues to push for recognition of its cause, insisting that a referendum is the only democratic path forward. Whether Trump will respond remains uncertain. No timeline has been given for further action.

Source: Briefly via MSN | By: Byron Pillay

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