U.S G20 Boycott: U.S Will Attend South Africa’s G20 Summit

U.S changed its subject to boycott the G20 Summit.

Mathipa Phishego

Ahead of the South Africa’s G20 Summit happening on November 22-23 in Johannesburg. Signs of a shift from the United States (U.S) have emerged but significant caveats remain.

Sources speaking with national broadcaster SABC News, report that U.S has indicated it will attend the summit in some capacity.

However, a White House official later clarified that the U.S. will only send a representative. The representative will attend for formal hand-over ceremony at the summit’s conclusion. They will not actively engage in the leaders’ talks.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa welcomed the signal of participation, saying the U.S. has the right to be here as an original member of the G20.

Earlier this month, the U.S. announced it would abstain from sending any government official to the summit. Citing alleged human-rights abuses in South Africa. Claims coming from the White House that Afrikaners were being killed, slaughtered, and their land illegally seized.

The U.S. formally informed other G20 members it would oppose the traditional leaders’ declaration at the summit unless consensus can be reached. Although the U.S. will be present in name via the hand-over ceremony.

The White House made clear it will not take part in the substantive deliberations. This effectively leaves the U.S. on the periphery, present but largely silent.

But for South Africa, the partial U.S. participation is a diplomatic win. But not the full endorsement it had hoped for.

The country has been preparing to emphasise issues of climate justice, debt relief for developing nations, and global inequality. Under its motto of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.