A diplomatic firestorm erupts as South Africa pushes back against US claims of misconduct during its G20 leadership, escalating tensions over false land seizure allegations and threatening international cooperation.
South Africa has strongly criticised the announcement by United States President Donald Trump that the country will not be invited to next year’s G20 summit in Florida. President Cyril Ramaphosa called the statement regrettable and rejected claims that South Africa acted improperly during the recent G20 gathering in Johannesburg. Trump said South Africa refused to hand over the G20 presidency to a United States embassy representative at the summit. Ramaphosa countered that the United States chose not to attend the leaders meeting through its own decision, even though American businesses and civil society groups were present. He added that the official handover of G20 responsibilities was conducted at the headquarters of South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry in the presence of a United States embassy official.
The dispute has escalated longstanding tensions over United States criticism of South African domestic and foreign policies. Trump has repeatedly claimed that white citizens in South Africa are facing widespread attacks and unlawful land seizures, allegations the South African government has consistently denounced as false and unsupported by credible evidence. Trump renewed these accusations, saying the government was harming white people and allowing their farms to be taken. Ramaphosa said it was disappointing that despite efforts to rebuild relations, the United States president continued to rely on misinformation and distortions. Trump further reacted by declaring that South Africa was unworthy of international membership and announced that the United States would stop all payments and subsidies to the country.
South African officials have urged other G20 members to show unity and defend the principles of the group. They stressed the importance of protecting the rights of all member states and ensuring that political disagreements do not undermine the organisation. The Johannesburg summit, which marked the first time the G20 was held in Africa, concluded with a joint declaration promoting cooperative action on climate change and economic inequality. The statement was approved despite objections from the United States, which accused South Africa of misusing its position as chair of the group.
