South Africa to temporarily step back from G20 following US ban

South Africa announced on Thursday that it is willing to step back from next years G20 meetings after being excluded by the United States, and it does not anticipate other nations lobbying for its reinstatement. Earlier this year, the United States assumed the one-year presidency of the G20, after largely avoiding South Africas leadership, including the November summit, marking a further escalation in tensions with Pretoria.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Wednesday that South Africa would not receive an invitation to the US-led G20, citing grievances such as unproven allegations of discrimination against the white Afrikaner community. In response, Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that South Africa will sit out the 2026 G20 events and plans to rejoin when Britain assumes the presidency next year. For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming, Magwenya shared on social media.

The G20 includes the largest global economies along with the European Union and the African Union blocs, representing 85% of the worlds GDP and two-thirds of the global population. South Africa hosted its first-ever G20 summit in Johannesburg, drawing numerous international leaders, although US President Donald Trump did not attend.

Magwenya also noted that South Africa does not expect other G20 members to protest the US presidency or advocate for South Africas participation. It would be counterproductive if an entire year were wasted and the G20 were undermined, he told the Sunday Times newspaper. Nonetheless, he said other nations should express their concerns to the United States in support of multilateralism and the G20s mission.

This diplomatic strain follows a series of US actions against South Africa, including the expulsion of its ambassador in March and the imposition of 30% trade tariffs, which South Africa is actively contesting.

Author: Zoe Harrison