Ramaphosa Responds to Trump’s G20 Boycott: “Their Loss”:

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit in Johannesburg, calling it “their loss.” The summit, scheduled for November 22–23, will bring together leaders from 19 of the world’s largest economies, the European Union, and the African Union. Trump announced on Friday that no U.S. officials will attend this year’s summit, citing South Africa’s treatment of white farmers—a claim widely disputed and rejected by the South African government—and the country’s push for Israeli accountability over alleged genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). On his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled South Africa’s hosting of the G20 as a “total disgrace.” Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly claimed that white South Africans are being persecuted and having their land seized due to their race. These assertions have been consistently denied by both the South African government and Afrikaner representatives, who say there is no evidence of systematic racial targeting. Trump’s criticisms have extended beyond South Africa’s domestic policies. The U.S. president has also taken issue with the nation’s decision to accuse Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. South Africa filed the case with the ICJ in 2023 and recently submitted 500 pages of evidence, with Israel expected to respond by January 12, 2025. Oral hearings are anticipated in 2027, with a final verdict expected by late 2027 or early 2028. Meanwhile, the ICJ has issued three provisional measures directing Israel to prevent genocidal acts and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, which Israel has largely ignored. Speaking to reporters outside South Africa’s Parliament on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said, “It is unfortunate that the United States decided not to attend the G20. The United States by not being at the G20, one must never think that we are not going to go on with the G20. The G20 will go on. All other heads of state will be here. In the end, we will take fundamental decisions and their absence is their loss.” Ramaphosa also criticized the U.S. for stepping back from what he called “the very important role that they should be playing as the biggest economy in the world.” The tension between the two nations has been escalating for months. In May, Trump confronted Ramaphosa at the White House over his claims of violence against the Afrikaner minority. At the meeting, Ramaphosa urged Trump to attend the Johannesburg G20, which would mark the first time the summit is held on African soil. Trump’s allegations mirror claims circulated by conservative media in the U.S. since 2018. He, along with figures like South African-born Elon Musk, has criticized South Africa’s affirmative action policies, arguing they discriminate against the white minority. South African officials, however, say these claims stem from misinformation and misunderstanding of the country’s post-apartheid efforts to address historic inequality. Relations between Washington and Pretoria, Africa’s largest economy and the U.S.’s main trading partner on the continent, are now at their lowest point since the end of apartheid in 1994. Earlier this year, the U.S. expelled South Africa’s ambassador over comments he made regarding Trump. Despite the boycott, Ramaphosa remains confident the summit will proceed successfully. “The G20 will go on,” he emphasized, highlighting the continued participation of other world leaders. The G20, formed in 1999, serves as a forum for major economies to discuss global financial stability, development, and other pressing international issues. South Africa currently holds the rotating presidency of the group, which the U.S. is scheduled to assume at the end of the year. Ramaphosa’s comments signal South Africa’s determination to move forward with international engagement, even in the face of heightened tensions with the United States, and underscore the country’s ongoing pursuit of justice for the people of Gaza while maintaining its role on the global stage.

NEWS