Johannesburg, South Africa – The United States has refuted claims that it is reconsidering its boycott of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa suggested a possible shift in Washington’s stance.
Ramaphosa stated on Thursday, during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, that his government had received indications from the US regarding a potential change of heart concerning participation in the summit. “We have received a notification from the United States, which we are still discussing with them, regarding a shift in position on participating in the summit in one way or another,” Ramaphosa said. “This comes just days before the summit, and so we need to enter into such discussions to see how realistic it is and what it actually means.”
The initial decision by the Trump administration to boycott the first-ever G20 summit held in Africa was attributed to accusations that South Africa, despite its post-apartheid transition, was engaging in discriminatory practices against white citizens.
However, a White House official swiftly dismissed Ramaphosa’s remarks as “fake news.” The official clarified that while a US envoy would attend the formal handover ceremony of the G20 presidency from South Africa to the United States, there would be no American participation in the summit discussions. “The Chargé d’Affaires in Pretoria will attend the handover ceremony as a formality, but the United States will not be joining the G20 discussions,” the official stated.
South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya countered by stating that President Ramaphosa would not be handing over the presidency to a Chargé d’Affaires, further complicating the conflicting narratives. The G20 summit is scheduled to take place on November 22nd and 23rd, despite ongoing disagreement over the US presence.
The situation remains fluid as the summit approaches, with conflicting statements from both nations.
