A late diplomatic signal from Washington prompts renewed engagement as South Africa prepares to hand over the G20 presidency.
The United States has confirmed that a delegation will be present to receive the G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the summit.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks that the US sent a notice indicating potential attendance at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which is scheduled to take place this weekend.
US notice a ‘very positive’ sign
Speaking at the South Africa-European Union Trilateral Leaders’ Meeting on Thursday evening, Ramaphosa said discussions with the US are still ongoing.
“This comes really at the latest hour before the summit begins, and so therefore, we do need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means,” the president said.
Ramaphosa called the notice a “very positive” sign.
“As I’ve often said, boycott politics never work. It’s always best to be inside the tent than being outside of the tent,” Ramaphosa said.
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Ramaphosa ‘running his mouth’
However, shortly after this, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Ramaphosa’s claims and took a swipe at him for “running his mouth”.
Addressing the media, Leavitt said the US will not be participating in official talks at the G20.
“I saw the South African president running his mouth a little bit against the United States and Donald Trump earlier today and that language is not appreciated by the president or his team,” Leavitt said.
“The ambassador, or the representative of the embassy in South Africa is simply there to recognise that the United States will be the host of the G20. They are receiving that send-off at the end of the event,” she added.
A diplomatic note – purported to be from the US embassy to the department if international relations and coorporation – shared by Newzroom Afrika’s Ziyanda Ngcobo on social media platform X, indicated that chargé d’affaires Marc Dillard will be participating in the G20 handover.
According to the note, seven other delegates will be joining Dillard.
However, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in response to Leavitt’s comments: “The President will not hand over to a Charge’ d’ Affaires.”
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Trump renews strong criticism of South Africa
The sudden change of stance to boycott the entire event comes after Trump slammed South Africa’s policies – once again – while addressing a journalist at the Oval Office during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud’s visit.
“I am not going to South Africa for the G20 because I think their policies on the extermination of people are unacceptable,” Trump said.
“So, I am not going. So, I won’t refer to anything having to do with South Africa. South Africa has behaved extremely badly,” Trump said.
