South Africa’s G20 Sous-Sherpa, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, has confirmed that the government will not travel to the United States for the traditional handover of the G20 Presidency. This follows news that the US will not send a delegation to the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg this weekend.
“The US will have to come to South Africa or proceed without a formal handover,” Dr. Emmanuel Matambo, Research Director at the Centre for African China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, said, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the situation.
Matambo described the development as “a bizarre scenario.” He explained, “Since 2008, when the G20 started having regular summits, the United States has actually been the informal leader of the group, just by the mere fact that it is the most highly industrialized country and boasts the biggest economy.”
Matambo also suggested political tensions underpin the US decision. “As you would remember, when President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the United States earlier this year, he actually put it to Donald Trump that you are the ones, America, who created the G20, so we hope to receive you in South Africa. Alas, we are in an unprecedented situation at the moment, created, obviously, by Donald Trump, who seems to have a certain hatred for South Africa.”
He further pointed to influential figures and organisations that have shaped Trump’s perception. “In addition to the players that you have mentioned, Trump’s former best friend, Elon Musk, and Miriam Adelson, one of his biggest campaigners, have played damaging roles. These individuals, alongside groups like Solidarity and Afri-Forum, have been creating a very damaging impression of South Africa in Donald Trump’s mind,” said Matambo.
The absence of a US delegation marks a significant diplomatic anomaly for the G20 Summit, raising questions about global cooperation at the Johannesburg meeting.
Listen to the full interview below:
VOC News
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