Ramaphosa slams Trump’s intention to ban South Africa from attending G20
Trump's government snubbed this year's G20 summit, which recently concluded in Johannesburg.
South Africa’s presidency has hit back at United States President Donald Trump’s intention to bar South Africa from attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit in America next year.
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that South Africa would not be invited to next year's G20 summit in Miami, escalating his diplomatic offensive against the country to a new level.
Ramaphosa, however, issued a strong statement in response.
“South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right. Its G20 membership is at the behest of all other members. South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democratic country and does not appreciate insults from another country about its membership and worth in participating in global platforms,” said Ramaphosa.
Unfounded allegations
Trump's government snubbed this year's G20 summit, which recently concluded in Johannesburg, stating that South Africa's priorities, including cooperation on trade and climate, ran counter to its own policies.
In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa refused to formally hand over the G20 presidency to the next host country, the United States, as is customary.
"South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.”
Trump also made unfounded accusations of a "white genocide" targeting Afrikaners, descendants of the first European settlers, in South Africa.
South Africa denies the accusations, with Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya saying, “South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20. We call on all members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism based on consensus with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures.”