G20 Summit in South Africa Marked by U.S. Non-Participation and Related Discussions
The G20 Leaders' Summit is taking place in South Africa, with the United States not officially participating. The U.S. administration cited claims regarding land confiscation and the killing of white Afrikaners, alongside the summit's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda, as reasons for its non-attendance.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented earlier this month, stating, "You know we have a G20 meeting in South Africa, South Africa shouldn't even be in the Gs anymore, because what happened there is bad."
International Attendance and Absences
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the U.S. absence, remarking, "Their absence is their loss." Other notable absences include Argentinian President Javier Milei, who stated he would not attend, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose non-attendance is attributed to a reduced international travel schedule. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also not attending, due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant related to the conflict in Ukraine.
William Gumede, an associate professor at Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University, described the situation as symbolic of a "fractured global moment," characterizing the event as "almost an alternative summit without China and without America."
The summit's themes of "solidarity, equality, sustainability" were a point of contention for the U.S. administration, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating South Africa was advancing a "DEI and climate change" agenda. Conversely, countries like Germany, whose leaders are attending, have expressed support for these themes.
Developments Regarding U.S. Representation
As the summit commenced, President Ramaphosa stated that South Africa had received a late request from the U.S. to send a delegation. He commented, "We have received notice from the United States…about a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or another in the Summit. We still need to engage with them fully on what their participation at the 11th hour means." Ramaphosa also expressed that the presence of the U.S. as the world's largest economy would be "pleasing."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Ramaphosa's comments, stating, "The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa." She clarified that the U.S. embassy's chargé d'affaires would attend for the symbolic handover of the G20 rotating presidency from South Africa to the U.S. However, Ramaphosa's spokesman stated on X that "The president won't hand over to a chargé."
It remains to be seen whether a joint declaration will be issued by the attending countries at the summit's conclusion, given the U.S.'s non-participation in official talks.
Domestic Issues and Public Response
Within South Africa, the summit has drawn attention to domestic concerns. Residents of Johannesburg have highlighted improvements to city infrastructure, such as traffic lights and grass cutting, which they perceive as temporary measures for foreign guests, despite ongoing issues like crumbling infrastructure and chronic electricity and water shortages. Journalist Redi Tlhabi remarked on her podcast, "You're showing off for visitors but you have no regard for the people that live in that city."
On Friday, thousands of women participated in a day of action against gender-based violence. Organized by Women for Change, the participants, dressed in black, protested peacefully in parks and university campuses to raise awareness about high rates of femicide and violence in South Africa during the G20 gathering.
The U.S. administration's stated reasons for non-participation have also brought race relations in South Africa into focus, leading to differing responses among Afrikaner groups.
- One Afrikaans rights group erected billboards welcoming G20 delegates to what they termed "the most race-regulated country in the world," referring to affirmative action policies.
- In contrast, a progressive Afrikaner association launched its own campaign with billboards featuring the Springboks national rugby team. The image depicts two white Afrikaner players carrying their Black captain, Siya Kolisi, with the tagline: "Terrible things are happening in South Africa."