US confirms S-Africa boycotting G20
(MENAFN) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially confirmed that the United States will not participate in upcoming G20 meetings hosted by South Africa. The move, which had been anticipated following media reports, highlights deepening tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
Rubio announced the decision during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday, citing that the event’s agenda does not align with the policy priorities of the Trump administration. He also pointed to South Africa’s perceived closeness with nations such as Iran and China, which the U.S. considers key geopolitical adversaries.
“When a country repeatedly diverges from the United States on multiple global issues, it forces us to reevaluate our relationship,” Rubio stated.
He further criticized South Africa’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling its stance not only biased but entirely one-sided. In 2023, South Africa brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide due to its military operations in Gaza. The ICJ later issued a ruling against Israel in early 2024—one that the Israeli government has since disregarded.
The conflict stemmed from a deadly October 2023 attack launched by Hamas, which escalated into a broader regional war. Israel has since resumed its military offensive, framing it as an effort to "conquer" Gaza.
Rubio’s announcement came as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Washington, aiming to repair strained diplomatic ties. According to his office, Ramaphosa is expected to meet President Donald Trump on Wednesday to discuss trade initiatives proposed by South Africa. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has firmly rejected U.S. accusations of supporting racial violence, labeling them a “completely false narrative.”
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