United States President Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the upcoming G20 Summit has prompted backlash from the South African government.
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that “no US government official will attend” the leaders’ event, set to take place in Johannesburg from Saturday, 22 November, to Sunday, 23 November.
Responding to the announcement, the South African government described Trump’s remarks as “regrettable,” saying Johannesburg looks forward to welcoming delegates for the G20 Summit.
CLAIMS OF ‘WHITE GENOCIDE’ REJECTED
Trump labelled it a “total disgrace” that the event is being held in South Africa, alleging that Afrikaners are being “killed and slaughtered,” and that their land and farms are being illegally seized.
In a statement, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said Trump’s characterisation of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is “ahistorical” and that claims of their persecution are not supported by evidence. The ministry reaffirmed its statement that allegations of a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa are widely discredited and lack credible proof.
The government clarified that the South African Constitution guarantees citizens the right to emigrate legally, but stressed the distinction between voluntary migration and refugee asylum.
This follows the US government’s implementation of a refugee resettlement programme for individuals of Afrikaner ethnicity or racial minorities in South Africa, claiming they face “government-sponsored race-based discrimination.”
The ministry reiterated that while South Africans may legally emigrate, the country’s focus remains on its positive global engagement.
Earlier, Trump described South Africa as a “communist tyranny,” claiming that Miami, Florida, has long been a haven for people fleeing the country. He added that South Africa should not host the summit because “what is happening there is bad.”
SA COMMITTED TO HOSTING G20
In spite of the controversy surrounding Trump’s remarks, the South African government remains committed to successfully hosting the G20 Summit.
“Drawing on our own journey from racial and ethnic division to democracy, our nation is uniquely positioned to champion within the G20 a future of genuine solidarity, where shared prosperity bridges deep inequalities. We look forward to hosting a successful G20 leaders summit,” said the ministry.
