South Africa Voices Regret After Trump Blocks Its Attendance at 2026 G20 Summit

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to bar South Africa from the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, calling the move insulting and reaffirming.

The country’s commitment to the forum. Ramaphosa said South Africa will “continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20.” Trump’s announcement came amid his claims of “horrific human rights abuses” in South Africa and accusations of “white genocide” targeting Afrikaners. The US had also skipped the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, making it the first G20 hosted in Africa to proceed without American participation. Ramaphosa described the 2025 summit as a success, noting that it produced a declaration affirming the importance of multilateral cooperation.

The South African President emphasised that the country respects the sovereignty of all nations and expects reciprocal treatment. His office said Trump’s remarks were “regrettable” and based on “misinformation and distortions,” stressing that South Africa will continue to engage constructively in G20 discussions.

Trump, in a social media post, accused South Africa of failing to protect white farmers and criticised US media for not reporting on the alleged abuses. South Africa countered that it had formally handed over the G20 Presidency instruments to a US Embassy official, refuting claims that it refused the transfer.

The spat highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions, even as Ramaphosa has sought to strengthen ties with the US through repeated engagement.