Washington Blocks South Africa from 2026 G20

(MENAFN) South Africa has been informed that it will not be invited to next year’s G20 gathering in Florida after US President Donald Trump declared the country not “worthy” of belonging “anywhere.”

He justified the decision by pointing to alleged mistreatment of white farmers as well as tensions over the transition of the forum’s rotating presidency.

Pretoria described the announcement as “regrettable” and “based on misinformation and distortions.”

The decision came on the heels of the 2025 G20 summit in Johannesburg — the first ever hosted on African soil — which proceeded despite a boycott from Washington.

Leaders from major global economies endorsed a joint statement that emphasized stronger climate commitments, debt relief for developing countries, and addressing worldwide inequality — key themes promoted by Pretoria during its term. The summit concluded with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa bringing the event to a close after dismissing a US request to have an American delegate perform the ceremonial handover.

South Africa later passed leadership to the US in a subdued event on Tuesday.

Posting on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump faulted Pretoria for its refusal to grant a US Embassy official the symbolic handoff during Sunday’s closing session.

“Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year,” he said.

Trump reiterated long-standing accusations that the South African authorities permit “horrific” treatment of “Afrikaners, and other descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers,” alleging that “they are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them.”

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