The United States has confirmed it will not take part in the upcoming G20 meetings hosted by South Africa, marking a sharp turn in relations between the two nations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on Tuesday during a Senate committee session, underscoring Washington’s growing frustration with Pretoria’s foreign policy choices.
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The decision follows reports last week hinting at a possible withdrawal, and it now appears the boycott is official. At the heart of the matter are deep disagreements over global priorities and strategic alliances.
The US has voiced concern over what it sees as South Africa’s repeated alignment with nations like China and Iran, two countries Washington views as key rivals on the global stage.
Rubio pointed to what he described as a clear and consistent pattern: South Africa’s positions on major global issues continue to diverge from those of the United States.
He also noted that the agenda for the G20 events fails to address key concerns of the current US administration, reinforcing the decision to step away.
The diplomatic rift comes amid even heavier accusations. The US government, under President Donald Trump, has recently accused South Africa of turning a blind eye to what it describes as racially motivated violence within its borders, a claim the South African government has firmly rejected as baseless and misleading.
Adding fuel to the fire, Washington has also taken issue with Pretoria’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. South Africa took legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice in 2023, alleging acts of genocide in Gaza.
The court responded with an injunction against Israel in early 2024, which has since been ignored by Tel Aviv. This legal move has drawn harsh criticism from US officials, who argue that South Africa’s position lacks neutrality.
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The diplomatic chill comes at a time when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is visiting Washington with hopes of restoring relations. According to his office, the trip is aimed at finding common ground and discussing new trade proposals.
