Trump Announces G20 Snub and Aid Cut to South Africa, Citing “Genocide” Claims; Ramaphosa Rebuts with “Misinformation” Allegation
A diplomatic rift has erupted between the United States and South Africa following a statement from President Donald Trump, prompting a firm and detailed rebuttal from the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The controversy stems from a post by Trump on his social media platform, in which he declared that the United States would not invite South Africa to the 2026 G20 summit, set to be hosted in Miami, Florida. Furthermore, he announced an immediate halt to all U.S. payments and subsidies to the South African government.
Justifying this drastic move, Trump claimed the U.S. did not attend the G20 in South Africa because the government “refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific Human Right Abuses endured by Afrikaners.” He escalated the rhetoric, stating, “they are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them,” and accused the media of ignoring what he termed a “genocide.”
In a formal response, the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa noted Trump’s “regrettable statement,” systematically countering its claims.
The South African statement clarified that the recent G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg was widely hailed as “one of the most successful summits.” It also confirmed that, despite the U.S. absence at the summit, the instruments of the G20 Presidency were “duly handover to a US Embassy official” at the proper diplomatic channel, directly contradicting Trump’s assertion that South Africa refused to hand off the presidency.
Emphasizing its sovereign standing, the South African presidency stated, “South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right,” and does not appreciate “insults from another country about its worth.” The response highlighted that the U.S. chose not to attend the summit “out of its own volition,” while U.S. businesses and civil society organizations actively participated in related G20 side-events.
The rebuttal concluded by expressing regret over Trump’s continued “punitive measures,” which it stated were “based on misinformation and distortions about our country,” despite efforts by the Ramaphosa administration to reset diplomatic ties.
The exchange signals a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations, centering on contested claims about South Africa’s domestic affairs and its role on the global stage. South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to continue as a “full, active and constructive member of the G20.”
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