South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back against comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that South Africa could be barred from participating in next year’s Group of 20 (G20) summit, insisting that the country remains a legitimate and active member of the international forum.
Speaking during his state of the nation address on Sunday, Ramaphosa reaffirmed that South Africa is a founding and full member of the G20 and will continue to engage constructively in its activities. His remarks came after Washington boycotted the most recent G20 leaders’ summit held under South Africa’s presidency in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23.
Trump has repeated claims that South Africa’s Black-majority government has been persecuting the country’s white minority and seizing land from them — allegations that have been widely discredited by independent observers and analysts. Ramaphosa firmly rejected those statements, describing them as “blatant misinformation” and denying that any form of genocide or unlawful land confiscation is taking place.
Last week, Trump also accused Pretoria of failing to properly hand over the rotating G20 presidency at the summit’s closing ceremony, saying this was the reason South Africa would not be invited to the next G20 gathering, which is scheduled to be held in Florida. South African officials have disputed that version of events, stating that the presidency was in fact transferred to a senior U.S. embassy representative, in line with diplomatic protocol.
Despite tensions between the two governments, Ramaphosa noted that American companies, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups were present and actively involved in G20-related meetings and side events in Johannesburg. He described those interactions as positive and important for ongoing cooperation.
“South Africa is and will remain a full, active and constructive member of the G20,” he said, adding that Pretoria intends to continue engaging with international partners, including the United States, within the G20 framework.
Dakar-based analysts say the dispute highlights growing diplomatic strains but point out that the G20 operates through multilateral consensus, meaning no single country can unilaterally expel another member. For now, South Africa appears determined to maintain its role in the group as global discussions continue on economic recovery, development finance, and geopolitical stability.
Source:Africa Publicity
