Ramaphosa defies US absence at Johannesburg G20 Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered forceful closing remarks at the G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni on Thursday, declaring that South Africa will not be bullied by any nation as preparations continue for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg this weekend.

His comments come after United States President Donald Trump confirmed he will not attend the gathering and warned Pretoria against proceeding with G20 deliberations without Washington.

Trump has spent recent months accusing South Africa of committing genocide, allegations widely dismissed by independent organisations, researchers and foreign governments. Despite this, the Trump administration this week cautioned that the United States would not support any consensus document emerging from the Johannesburg summit and formally advised Pretoria against issuing a joint statement.

Speaking to delegates from civil society, labour, business, youth and other international groupings, Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa would not back down from its responsibilities as host. He told the summit that South Africa would continue to assert its sovereignty and follow its mandate as chair of the G20. He said the country would not allow itself to be intimidated by any global power. Many in the room concluded the remark was directed at the United States.

Ramaphosa said that since the US is not attending the Leaders’ Summit, South Africa would hand the G20 presidency chair to an empty seat as a symbolic reminder that the work of multilateral cooperation will continue with or without the participation of any one country. He stressed that the absence of the United States would not stall discussions on sustainable global development.

“We have used our G20 presidency to promote the sustainable development of goals,” Ramaphosa said. He added that South Africa had ensured that the interests of developing economy countries remained at the centre of the agenda. He highlighted ongoing calls to democratise global financial governance, broaden access to development financing and promote fairness in the international system.

In his address, Ramaphosa placed the summit within a broader history of global solidarity. He reflected on the Bandung Conference of 1955, where newly independent nations from Asia and Africa asserted their collective voice on the world stage. He also referenced the Freedom Charter adopted in Kliptown in the same year, saying unity, equality and cooperation have long been the foundations of South Africa’s political vision.

Ramaphosa told delegates that the deliberations of civil society, labour, youth, business and other groups were essential for shaping credible G20 action. He said global policy must be driven by the lived experiences of communities, workers, women, young people and vulnerable groups. He said that the strength of the G20 depends on grounding its decisions in the needs and aspirations of the world’s population.

The president noted that discussions at the Social Summit focused on digital inclusion, equitable transformation, climate justice, media freedom, democratic strengthening and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Delegates also raised concerns about global trade volatility and called for more resilient value chains that protect developing countries.

Ramaphosa highlighted that the summit reaffirmed the importance of a just and inclusive transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy. He said that the most affected communities must guide the global response to climate change.

He also marked World Children’s Day by emphasising the need to eliminate child poverty and hunger and calling for more resources to protect the rights of children. He said South Africa supports the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health and expressed concern about declining international development assistance for health programmes.

Ramaphosa repeated that gender based violence and femicide remain a national crisis in South Africa. He said no society can prosper while women are unsafe or excluded. He added that men and boys must be active partners in transforming harmful norms and advancing gender justice.

As he closed the summit, Ramaphosa said the G20 Social Summit must serve as a compass guiding global cooperation. He said South Africa will push ahead with efforts to build an agenda rooted in solidarity and equality, regardless of geopolitical tensions. He said the world must set a new course for shared prosperity even if powerful nations choose not to participate.