US attempts to derail historic African G20 summit based on false claims

THE United States has launched a last-minute diplomatic offensive to undermine South Africa’s historic G20 Leaders’ Summit this weekend, the first-ever gathering of the world’s most powerful economies on African soil. The US has delivered the threat while peddling what officials describe as misinformation.

In a strongly-worded diplomatic note dated November 15, Washington warned Pretoria against issuing any G20 summit declaration without US agreement, claiming South Africa’s priorities “run counter to US policy views.”

“As of this correspondence, the United States will not participate in the G20 Sherpa Meeting from 16-19 November or the G20 Leaders’ Summit from 22-23 November. South Africa’s G20 priorities run counter to US policy views, and we cannot support consensus on any documents negotiated under your presidency,” the diplomatic note states.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he would not send a government delegation to South Africa, making false claims of a “white genocide” in the country.

“Afrikaners are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated. No US government official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue,” Trump posted, calling it “a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, claiming: “Afrikaners have been continuously subjected to violent racial discrimination by the South African government.”

Pretoria Stands Firm

Despite the US pressure campaign, which sources say has included attempts to bully allies into opposing a leader’s declaration, South African officials have vowed to press ahead with the summit scheduled for November 22-23 at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola held a media briefing on Monday, criticising the US position while insisting it would not derail the G20 agenda.

“The sherpas are negotiating the leaders’ declaration. We are moving towards deciding the terms of the leaders’ declaration. Negotiations are happening, and in the later stage, in the course of the week, you will hear the outcome,” Lamola said.

“But we are forging ahead to pursue with the countries that are present that we must adopt the leaders’ declaration, because the institution cannot be brought down by anyone. Because if I am absent for whatever reason, if I don’t agree with the agenda and so forth, I must come to the platform and raise my issues with the agenda.”

Lamola said Pretoria has put its foot down on travelling to the US to hand over the presidency next year. “We will just issue the declaration and the US will decide how they want to continue in the next year,” he said.

Godongwana explained that either a declaration or a chairperson’s statement would emerge from the meeting. “We may take a soft approach and say, OK, the other colleagues feel differently, chairpersons send us a statement. It’s got the same effect as a declaration, because the only thing is that nobody can contest you much on your content, because the content comes from you as a host country.”

The ministers insisted that as a G20 member state, South Africa cannot be excluded. “We don’t need an invitation from anybody. If the US do not want us to participate, the only way they can do it is to decline us a visa,” Godongwana said.

International Support Remains Strong

Despite the US boycott, which also includes Argentina under President Javier Milei, other major powers have pledged support for South Africa’s presidency. French President Emmanuel Macron’s Africa adviser, Jérémie Robert, told South African journalists this week that France was committed to supporting Pretoria, with talks at an advanced stage.

Negotiations are continuing between Pretoria and other G20 member states to agree on a summit declaration, proceeding under the premise that it can be adopted by all members represented at the meetings.

The Sunday Times understands that news of the US and Argentinian non-attendance took Pretoria by surprise. The South African government had been in contact with US Vice-President JD Vance, coordinating travel and participation as part of the G20 Troika, which includes Brazil. Vance was initially announced by Trump as his replacement to lead the country’s delegation before the full boycott was announced.

Security and Vision Intact

Meanwhile, security preparations remain on track for the historic gathering. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) expressed confidence in arrangements ahead of the landmark summit.

“As the NATJOINTS, we have been meeting daily with all relevant role-players to ensure our security plan is well-executed,” NATJOINTS Chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said on Tuesday.

“We are therefore confident in saying that the safety and security preparations for the Summit are well on track, with all critical role players already on the ground executing their various responsibilities as per their mandate.”

Lt Gen Mosikili warned that authorities would take a firm stance against disruptions: “We would like to remind members of the public that the safety of our visitors and that of South Africans as a whole is paramount and anyone who tries and even attempts to test our security measures – will face the full might of the law.”

Africa Takes Centre Stage

Speaking at the G20 Social Summit on Monday, Deputy President Paul Mashatile reaffirmed South Africa’s vision for reshaping global governance.

“Our goal is to integrate African voices into global governance, striving for a more equitable and sustainable future, consistent with the vision of the AU’s Agenda 2063,” Mashatile told delegates at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni.

“Through this model, we value inclusivity, harmony and interconnectedness, while focusing on creating a lively and energetic representation of shared aspirations of a unified Africa.”

Mashatile emphasised the contradiction facing the continent: “Despite its vast potential, Africa remains underdeveloped, with many communities still living in poverty and enduring ongoing displacement due to recurring political, economic, environmental and security challenges.”

At a Presidential Business Working Dinner on Monday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the economic vision driving South Africa’s G20 agenda.

“When we assumed the G20 Presidency, we said that Africa should be central to deliberations of this strategic forum,” President Ramaphosa told business leaders.

“The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area will profoundly transform market access for South African goods, services and investments. It will expand opportunities for businesses to access a wider African market of about 1.4 billion people, with a combined GDP of 3.4 trillion US dollars.”

The President called on South African companies to embrace the opportunity: “We are therefore calling on South African companies to be part of setting our country and our continent on a new economic trajectory. This is a task that we need to undertake together, as government and business, as social partners, to look at the opportunities beyond our borders – and to be part of building a better Africa.”

President Ramaphosa emphasised the interconnected destiny of South Africa and the continent: “Grounded in our shared belief that South Africa’s growth and prosperity is intrinsically intertwined with that of the African Continent – and amplified by our common heritage and shared future – we must undertake this work with greater purpose and focus. As Africa grows and prospers, so South Africa will grow and prosper.”

New Global Order

Ambassador William Carew, representing African civil society, delivered a message that captured the summit’s transformative ambitions.

“Africa’s G20 Summit is a statement that we are no longer content to be observers of our destiny but builders of a new global order,” he declared.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency operates under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” and has established three cross-cutting task forces focusing on inclusive economic growth and industrialisation, food security, and artificial intelligence and data governance.

The Social Summit declaration will be formally presented to President Ramaphosa on Wednesday before being incorporated into discussions at this weekend’s Leaders’ Summit.

On Friday, President Ramaphosa will meet with African Heads of State and Government invited to the G20 gathering, showcasing South African investment across the continent and reaffirming commitment to Africa’s development.

Mexico and Russia’s heads of state had previously registered their non-attendance at the summit.