South Africa Prepares to Host G20 Summit Amid US Scrutiny
South Africa is preparing to host the G20 leaders' summit later this month in Johannesburg. This comes as former US President Donald Trump has publicly questioned South Africa's continued membership in the G20.
Trump will not attend the summit, with Vice-President JD Vance slated to represent the United States. The relationship between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been marked by increased tensions this year.
Trump's Stance and South Africa's Official Response
Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that South Africa should not be part of the G20, citing accusations of discrimination against its white minority. He remarked at a conference in Miami, "South Africa shouldn't even be in the Gs any more, because what's happened there is bad. I'm not going to represent our country there. It shouldn't be there."
South Africa's government has largely refrained from issuing a direct response to these specific comments. However, last week it addressed the US decision to prioritize refugee applications from white South African Afrikaners, stating that claims of a "white genocide" have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. South Africa's latest crime statistics do not indicate a higher victimization rate for white individuals in violent crimes compared to other racial groups.
Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for the South African presidency, expressed confidence in the country's ability to host a successful G20 summit.
G20 Membership and Procedure for Exclusion
The G20 was established in 1999 following the Asian financial crisis with the aim of restoring economic stability. The member nations collectively represent over 85% of the world's wealth. The first leaders' summit, held in 2008, sought to promote international cooperation amidst global financial turmoil. Leaders, alongside representatives from the European Union and African Union, now convene annually to discuss global economic issues.
According to Dr. Andrew Gawthorpe of the UK-based Foreign Policy Centre, there is no formal procedure outlined for expelling a country from the G20. He indicated that exclusion would practically entail a country not being invited to meetings by the host, a decision that would likely require broad agreement among other members.
South Africa's G20 Agenda and Bilateral Tensions
South Africa has adopted "solidarity, equality and sustainability" as its theme for the G20 presidency. Chrispin Phiri, South Africa's foreign ministry spokesperson, emphasized the country's unique position to champion these values within the G20, drawing on its historical transition from division to democracy.
Earlier this year, Trump's administration offered refugee status to Afrikaners following South Africa's enactment of a law permitting land expropriation without compensation in limited circumstances. Most private farmland in South Africa is owned by white South Africans, who constitute approximately 7% of the population.
Efforts by South Africa to de-escalate tensions included President Ramaphosa's visit to the White House in May with a diverse delegation. During this meeting, Trump reiterated claims of persecution against white South African farmers, presenting evidence that has been widely discredited.
Further strain on the relationship was observed in August, when South Africa was subjected to 30% tariffs on goods exported to the US, representing the highest rate imposed on a sub-Saharan African country.