US’ G20 non-participation based on baseless, false allegations
Fake news
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is regrettable that the United States of America, a founding member of the G20 and the country that will take over the Presidency of the G20 from South Africa in 2026, chose not to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the final meetings leading up to it.
“It is even more unfortunate that the reasons the US gave for its non-participation were based on baseless and false allegations that South Africa is perpetrating genocide against Afrikaners and confiscating land from white people. This is blatant misinformation about our country,” Ramaphosa said.
Addressing the nation on Sunday evening at the conclusion of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, Ramaphosa said the US administration’s absence from the summit had been justified on false grounds.
He said all G20 members had attended all G20-related meetings throughout the year, except for one member country.
Despite the challenges and misunderstandings that have arisen, South Africa remains a firm and unwavering friend of the American people. “We offer the people of the United States nothing but goodwill and friendship,” the President said.
He reminded the nation of the deep historical ties between the two countries, including the US’s solidarity during the anti-apartheid struggle and the influence of the US Bill of Rights on South Africa’s democratic Constitution.
‘Common interests’
“We have common interests, common values and a shared wish to advance the prosperity and well-being of the people of both our countries,” he added.
He noted that although the US administration had withdrawn from the Summit, American delegations had participated in several G20-related activities throughout the year, including the Business 20 Summit and the G20 Social Summit.
“We were most pleased that many organisations, businesses and individuals from the United States participated in large numbers in G20-related activities. South Africa valued their constructive and enthusiastic participation,” he said.
President Ramaphosa expressed concern about the harmful effects of disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining South Africa’s international standing.
“These people who are spreading disinformation are endangering and undermining South Africa’s national interests, destroying South African jobs and weakening our country’s relations with one of our most important partners,” he said.
He invited those responsible for fuelling division to participate in the newly established National Dialogue process and engage constructively.
Equality for all
“We must remind these people that South Africa is a constitutional democracy, with a Bill of Rights that guarantees equality under the law. South African problems must be solved by South Africans themselves. We must never allow others to try to redefine our country, cause divisions among us, or dictate who we are as a nation,” he said.
Reaffirming South Africa’s sovereignty and standing within the G20, the President said attempts to exclude the country had no basis.
This followed US President Donald Trump’s statement that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit in the US.
“We must make it clear that South Africa is one of the founding members of the G20, and that South Africa is therefore a member of the G20 in its own name and right. We will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20,” Ramaphosa said.
South Africa, Ramaphosa said, will continue to engage the United States government with respect and dignity as equal sovereign countries, guided by dialogue, partnership and a commitment to multilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, Trump on Monday launched the US presidency of the Group of 20 by wiping clean the website of outgoing host South Africa, which he is not inviting to next year’s summit.
The G20 website now simply displays a black-and-white picture of Trump with the words “Miami 2026” and “The Best Is Yet to Come,” the title of a song popularised by Frank Sinatra.
At the time of publication, the website returned an error message when accessed from South Africa.
Refused all US attendance
Trump refused all US attendance at last month’s G20 Summit in Johannesburg, denouncing the post-apartheid government’s treatment of the white minority.
He has also said that South Africa will not be welcome at the summit to be held at his Doral golf club in Florida.
This was the first time a member has been excluded in the two-decade history of the bloc, which represents the vast majority of the global economy.
The Trump administration also rejected the agenda of the South African presidency of the G20, which had included a “just energy transition” and debt sustainability.
The State Department said that Trump would “return the G20 to focusing on its core mission of driving economic growth and prosperity to produce results”.
“We will prioritise three core themes: unleashing economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations,” it said in a statement.– SA News/Additional reporting by AFP
“It is even more unfortunate that the reasons the US gave for its non-participation were based on baseless and false allegations that South Africa is perpetrating genocide against Afrikaners and confiscating land from white people. This is blatant misinformation about our country,” Ramaphosa said.
Addressing the nation on Sunday evening at the conclusion of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, Ramaphosa said the US administration’s absence from the summit had been justified on false grounds.
He said all G20 members had attended all G20-related meetings throughout the year, except for one member country.
Despite the challenges and misunderstandings that have arisen, South Africa remains a firm and unwavering friend of the American people. “We offer the people of the United States nothing but goodwill and friendship,” the President said.
He reminded the nation of the deep historical ties between the two countries, including the US’s solidarity during the anti-apartheid struggle and the influence of the US Bill of Rights on South Africa’s democratic Constitution.
‘Common interests’
“We have common interests, common values and a shared wish to advance the prosperity and well-being of the people of both our countries,” he added.
He noted that although the US administration had withdrawn from the Summit, American delegations had participated in several G20-related activities throughout the year, including the Business 20 Summit and the G20 Social Summit.
“We were most pleased that many organisations, businesses and individuals from the United States participated in large numbers in G20-related activities. South Africa valued their constructive and enthusiastic participation,” he said.
President Ramaphosa expressed concern about the harmful effects of disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining South Africa’s international standing.
“These people who are spreading disinformation are endangering and undermining South Africa’s national interests, destroying South African jobs and weakening our country’s relations with one of our most important partners,” he said.
He invited those responsible for fuelling division to participate in the newly established National Dialogue process and engage constructively.
Equality for all
“We must remind these people that South Africa is a constitutional democracy, with a Bill of Rights that guarantees equality under the law. South African problems must be solved by South Africans themselves. We must never allow others to try to redefine our country, cause divisions among us, or dictate who we are as a nation,” he said.
Reaffirming South Africa’s sovereignty and standing within the G20, the President said attempts to exclude the country had no basis.
This followed US President Donald Trump’s statement that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit in the US.
“We must make it clear that South Africa is one of the founding members of the G20, and that South Africa is therefore a member of the G20 in its own name and right. We will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20,” Ramaphosa said.
South Africa, Ramaphosa said, will continue to engage the United States government with respect and dignity as equal sovereign countries, guided by dialogue, partnership and a commitment to multilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, Trump on Monday launched the US presidency of the Group of 20 by wiping clean the website of outgoing host South Africa, which he is not inviting to next year’s summit.
The G20 website now simply displays a black-and-white picture of Trump with the words “Miami 2026” and “The Best Is Yet to Come,” the title of a song popularised by Frank Sinatra.
At the time of publication, the website returned an error message when accessed from South Africa.
Refused all US attendance
Trump refused all US attendance at last month’s G20 Summit in Johannesburg, denouncing the post-apartheid government’s treatment of the white minority.
He has also said that South Africa will not be welcome at the summit to be held at his Doral golf club in Florida.
This was the first time a member has been excluded in the two-decade history of the bloc, which represents the vast majority of the global economy.
The Trump administration also rejected the agenda of the South African presidency of the G20, which had included a “just energy transition” and debt sustainability.
The State Department said that Trump would “return the G20 to focusing on its core mission of driving economic growth and prosperity to produce results”.
“We will prioritise three core themes: unleashing economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations,” it said in a statement.– SA News/Additional reporting by AFP
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