Ramaphosa insists US not boycotting G20
President Cyril Ramaphosa says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to skip the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg cannot be described as a boycott.
South Africa is hosting the gathering at Nasrec, marking its first time leading the high-level talks.
The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between Pretoria and Washington, including disputes over South Africa’s land policies.
Rubio’s withdrawal has been linked to these strained relations.
This week, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent also announced that he wouldn’t attend next week’s finance track meeting taking place in Cape Town.
However, Ramaphosa insists the absence of some foreign ministers is not a cause for concern.
"We interface and relate to the US in many, many ways, and because we live in an interconnected world, no country can ever say that we are not going to be doing things either together directly or indirectly.
“In our case, we are committed to having a good relationship with the US and we do relate to them in a number of ways," said Ramaphosa.
"We are hopeful that we will have as many leaders as possible, who will be able to come, the absence of some leaders is not the end of the world, as long as the G20 family is able to meet, discuss important issues and come out with a declaration.”
There are also concerns that US President Donald Trump, who has previously spread misinformation about South African affairs, may skip the leaders' gathering later this year.
READ MORE: G20: SA unhappy at absence of senior US officials
However, Ramaphosa emphasised that the forum's work would continue regardless.
"I spoke to President Trump soon after his election to congratulate him and remind him about the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, where we will hand over the presidency to the US the following year.
“We discussed that briefly, along with several South Africans he holds in high regard, particularly in the golfing world.
“Being a far better golfer than I am, he joked that when he visits, we should play a round together. I told him I’d have to start practicing reaching his level.
“Our communication has been positive, and we will continue working through any challenges, as we do with all nations. I believe in finding solutions, and I think President Trump does as well—we will navigate any difficulties that arise.”
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