In a victory for back-channel diplomacy, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the US is reconsidering its decision to boycott the G20 summit, confirming last-minute talks are in progress. This unexpected shift introduces the possibility of a full attendance at the Johannesburg meeting, although Ramaphosa did not confirm the personal participation of President Donald Trump.
The initial diplomatic dispute was sparked by President Trump’s public allegations of discrimination and violence against white Afrikaner farmers, linked to contentious land reform policies. The South African government consistently denied these claims, labeling them as factually baseless and politically motivated attempts to interfere with the summit.
Addressing European leaders, Ramaphosa framed the US outreach as a significant “positive sign,” arguing that engagement is always more constructive than isolation. He reiterated his belief that boycotts seldom yield positive results and called for renewed commitment to inclusive global cooperation. South Africa’s G20 agenda is purposefully dedicated to addressing the key economic challenges of the developing world.
The controversy had peaked when a US diplomatic note warned that the G20 would be unable to issue a unified final statement without American presence. South Africa’s condemnation was strong, denouncing the move as an act of coercion that threatened the integrity of multilateral decision-making. Officials stressed the importance of preventing an absent country from setting a dangerous international precedent.
Ramaphosa concluded by affirming South Africa’s dedication to consensus-building among G20 member nations. He acknowledged the US’s upcoming G20 presidency but insisted that the forum’s enduring credibility is tied to its inclusivity and the pursuit of collective solutions, not to yielding to unilateral pressure.