CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

South Africa to "Take a Break" From G20 After U.S. Bars Participation — Ramaphosa Calls Johannesburg Summit A Success

Summary: South Africa said it is prepared to skip next year’s G20 meetings after the United States announced it would bar Pretoria from participating during the U.S. presidency. President Cyril Ramaphosa insisted South Africa remains a full G20 member and called the Johannesburg summit a success. Pretoria said it will not lead a boycott of the Miami summit but hopes other nations will register concern about the U.S. decision. The U.S. has taken other actions against South Africa, including expelling its ambassador and imposing 30% tariffs.

05:51 PM, 12/04/2025Politics
South Africa to "Take a Break" From G20 After U.S. Bars Participation — Ramaphosa Calls Johannesburg Summit A Success

South Africa Responds to U.S. Exclusion From G20

South African officials said on Thursday they are prepared to sit out next year’s G20 events after the United States announced it would not invite Pretoria to participate during the U.S. presidency. President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated that South Africa remains a full G20 member and described the recent Johannesburg summit as a successful presidency for the country.

The United States assumed the year-long G20 presidency this month and has signalled it will not extend an invitation to the South African government during its term. President Donald Trump announced the decision on social media in late November, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated it publicly.

"We are yet to receive it in writing and we will deal with that when it comes," Ramaphosa told reporters, noting that Pretoria had not yet received formal notification.

Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said South Africa was prepared to "take a commercial break" and skip the 2026 G20 series, resuming engagement when the presidency passes to the United Kingdom. "About this time next year, the UK will be taking over the G20 Presidency," Magwenya wrote on social media. "We will be able to engage meaningfully and substantively over what really matters to the rest of the world. For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming."

No Call For A Boycott, But A Request For Support

Ramaphosa said South Africa would not organise a collective boycott of the U.S.-hosted summit, adding: "Every country must take its own decisions." At the same time, his office has urged other nations to register their displeasure with the U.S. decision as a defence of multilateralism and the "spirit and purpose of the G20."

The Johannesburg summit was the first G20 meeting held on African soil and drew leaders from both G20 and non-G20 countries. U.S. officials, including Secretary Rubio, criticised the Johannesburg gathering as promoting "radical agendas" and said it ignored U.S. objections.

Wider Bilateral Tensions

The diplomatic rift between Washington and Pretoria has widened in recent months. The Trump administration expelled South Africa's ambassador in March and imposed 30% tariffs on certain South African exports — measures Pretoria is still challenging.

As events unfold, South Africa's government says it will monitor developments, seek formal clarification in writing, and continue to press its case diplomatically while preparing to re-engage when the G20 presidency changes hands.

(br/ho/giv)

Similar Articles

Trending