The G20 summit, held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, was a first for Africa, which President Cyril Ramaphosa characterized as a shifting global governance milestone. Notably, however, the Summit was bypassed, with precedent trumpeting controversy as U.S. President Donald Trump first announced a boycott of the summit, citing purported human rights abuses in South Africa against the white Afrikaner. Trump, whose claims were dismissed, dominated the summit for the two-day conflict, trumping most reports.
The first boycott of a G20 summit
The U.S., trading the main flow of the economy, climate, and policy, became a point of controversy in the U.S., Europe, Brexit, Pretoria, and Washington. Ramaphosa remarked on his disappointment in the handover ceremony of the G20 presidency, in which his absence would leave an empty chair, a diplomatic symbolic tradition of the group.
The White House later explained that the American staff member’s presence would be solely to mark the period of time the U.S. will have the rotating presidency for the year 2026, for which Trump will be the president of that event to be held at his Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida.
Despite and in no small part to the disrespect of protocol, the delivery of the closing statement remained embroiled in controversy as President Ramaphosa indicated that Washington had, in his opinion, at the last moment, desired to join the proceedings of the summit. The White House refuted this and accused President Ramaphosa of the White house, of ‘running his mouth’ and failing to understand the position of the U.S.
The exchange provides a glimpse of more serious and deeper rifts in the relations of Pretoria and Washington
The rifts come as a result of Johannesburg’s position and policies on land reform, and its position on various geopolitical and conflict issues. Some analysts are concerned that the relationship might face more challenges, especially in areas that seem to have global priorities, such as climate change, finance, and global debt, which were a significant part of the discussions at Johannesburg.
While the dispute took center stage, the European leaders (with the support of Canada and Japan) also made good steps toward addressing climate change.
Climate envoy and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney encouraged the G20 to raise the rate of capital investments in green technologies, arguing,
“Inaction will be much more expensive than the price of change in an economy.”
Ramaphosa on inclusive and sustainable growth
In Ramaphosa’s call for a “fair energy transition,” his continent’s development priorities and climate goals were to be integrated, a position that faced support from India and Brazil as well as resistance from many of the developing countries that depend on fossil fuels.
Ramaphosa, who was chairing the meeting, passed the gavel to the representative of the USA to end the summit, which showcased incredibly weak optimism. Ramaphosa had to remind the attendees that Africa is capable of leadership, which is why G20 members should be presenting solidarity rather than factionalism.
However, his comments about closing the meeting and his comments about Africa’s leadership potential did not address the order of the meeting and the divisions and their participation, which showed how nationalism was achieved with their disorganization and weakness in their multilateralism.
Washington is going to be the center of attention for next year’s summit. Many people are going to be wondering about the United States’ level of engagement during the summit, and if Justin’s going to be the same as it was in the current G20 summit in Johannesburg. Many people are going to remember the summit in Johannesburg for the drama rather than any changes in policy.
