South Africa will not urge allies to boycott G20 Summit in US – president
Cyril Ramaphosa says Pretoria is not “wired” to push for this type of action, as each country must decide for itself
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says Pretoria will not mobilize other countries to boycott next year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in Miami, despite reports that the US plans to exclude the country from the gathering.
”The United States has said that South Africa will not be invited. We have not seen that in writing yet. We’ve only seen media reports. We are yet to receive anything formally, and we will deal with that when it comes,” Ramaphosa said.
He was speaking with the media on the sidelines of Cosatu’s Golf Day, at Johannesburg Golf Club, on Thursday. The president stressed that South Africa remained a fully fledged member of the G20.
”We have held a very successful G20. And this is not only being said by us - it is said by many other people around the world. They are saying South Africa’s presidency of the G20 was a very successful process. The declaration that was adopted is a forward-looking declaration that will help drive many of the changes we identified.
“As South Africans, we can say confidently that we held a successful G20. What happens going forward is something we will deal with.”
Asked by members of the media on whether US president Donald Trump’s stance caused him sleepless nights, Ramaphosa said it did not.
”No, I don’t have sleepless nights. All we want, really, as South Africa, is to be treated as an equal, sovereign country. A country that respects other countries, that fosters their success and prosperity. We wish no country ill. We do not have enemies - we have friends.”
Ramaphosa said South Africa’s foreign policy was rooted in respect. ”We will always treat every country with due regard, respect and great consideration. That is who we are, and that is very much a part of our foreign policy”, he stated.
Switching to his ANC role, Ramaphosa expressed confidence ahead of the National General Council, held from December 8 to 12. This follows reports of an alleged plot by some ANC NEC members to unseat him as party president. However, the allegations were denied by Deputy Minister of Communication Mondli Gungubele and Deputy Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla.
Pressed again on whether South Africa would mobilise countries to boycott the Miami summit, Ramaphosa dismissed the idea.
”No, no, we don’t need to mobilise anyone. We’re not wired that way as South Africa. Every country must make its own decisions. We don’t peddle our role in any way. Countries respect us for what we are, and they applauded our role in the G20.”
The United States has formally assumed the 2026 G20 presidency and has pledged to “return the G20 to focusing on its core mission of driving economic growth and prosperity.” The US agenda will emphasise cutting regulatory burdens, securing energy supply chains and driving technological innovation.
The transition comes amid unusually sharp diplomatic tension between the US and South Africa. At the 2025 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa refused to hand over the G20 leadership to a junior US diplomat, insisting it be transferred only to a head of state, minister or senior envoy. The handover was later completed quietly at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria.
The summit proceeded without full US representation, and South Africa pressed ahead with its agenda under the theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability. Trump has previously said that South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 summit. He has been insisting that there’s a “white genocide” , land expropriation and attacks on white farmers. However, the South African government has for, many times, vehemently denied claims made by Trump.
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