The US excludes South Africa from G20 events

The US excludes South Africa from G20 events

. Foreign Minister Lamola criticizes the double standard. The US, under President Trump, is excluding South Africa from G20 events during the US presidency in 2026. Trump announced via social media that South Africa would not receive an invitation to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, Florida. He justified this with allegations against the South African government (including alleged persecution of white farmers, land expropriation, and misconduct during South Africa's G20 presidency in 2025). At the same time, he announced that he would halt payments and subsidies to South Africa. The US, as host of the 2026 summit, has excluded South Africa from planning meetings (e.g., Sherpa and finance minister meetings). There have already been instances where South African delegations were denied accreditation. South Africa is a full member of the G20 (since its inception as a forum). There is no formal mechanism for a single host to exclude a member. Many see this as a breach of G20 rules and a precedent. South Africa and the African Union (AU) are protesting strongly and have called on other G20 members to take action. Pretoria speaks of "punitive measures" and "misinformation." The conflict already escalated in 2025: The US largely boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg (due, among other things, to agenda items such as climate change, equality, and criticism of Western policies). The ceremonial handover of the presidency was chaotic. South Africa was also excluded from G7 events. The tensions are linked to broader bilateral issues (including the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, tariffs, and South Africa's BRICS engagement). In summary, this is an unprecedented, politically motivated decision by the US as host, which is being criticized internationally but is currently in effect. The situation could still change through diplomacy or pressure from other G20 countries. The US exclusion of South Africa from G20 events sends a worrying signal: Africa and the Global South continue to be treated as unequal partners, Ronald Lamola declared on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in Delhi. He emphasized that South Africa is a full G20 member, and no country—not even the presidency—can unilaterally block another member's participation, according to the forum's founding rules. While Pretoria welcomed all nations, including the US, to its G20 meetings, South African delegates now face obstacles to accessing events on American soil, the foreign minister stated. South Africa remains committed to the G20 process and is eager to see the other members' reactions to this exclusion, Lamola added.