G20
President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed that South Africa remains a founding and full member of the G20, rejecting US claims for its absence from the Johannesburg summit. He criticised the baseless allegations against SA and highlighted key agreements reached under SA’s leadership to support global debt relief, climate action and economic growth.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s status as a founding and full member of the G20 despite the absence of the United States from the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.
Speaking to the nation on Sunday after the summit concluded, Ramaphosa said, “It is regrettable that the United States of America chose not to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the final meetings leading up to it.”
He criticised the US administration’s reasons for non-participation, which included baseless allegations of genocide against Afrikaners and the confiscation of land from white people.
“We must make it clear that South Africa is one of the founding members of the G20 and South Africa is therefore a member of the G20 in its own name and right.”
Ramaphosa highlighted key agreements reached under South Africa’s G20 leadership, including mechanisms to provide relief to countries with unsustainable debt levels, reduce the cost of debt, and increase affordable financing from international development banks.
He said there was agreement that countries like South Africa should be able to process and beneficiate the minerals they mine before selling them to other countries as finished products.
Leaders also committed to increased funding for climate action, support for disaster prevention and recovery, and ensuring that technological advances in artificial intelligence and green energy benefit all countries.
Ramaphosa said these agreements would help address economic challenges in South Africa and Africa.
“Unemployment has fallen in recent months. Our public finances are improving, allowing us to steadily reduce our national debt. We have recently seen a sovereign credit rating upgrade,” he said.
Ramaphosa also addressed domestic challenges, including gender-based violence, recently classified as a national disaster, and highlighted ongoing efforts to promote inclusive growth and job creation.
Warning against disinformation campaigns, he said, people spreading disinformation are endangering and undermining South Africa’s national interests, destroying South African jobs and weakening the country’s relations.
“We must never allow others to try to redefine our country and cause divisions among us or dictate who we are as a nation. We know who we are. We are South Africans.”
Ramaphosa thanked South Africans for their efforts in hosting a successful G20 Presidency.
