Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies will gather in South Africa on Thursday for a crucial two-day meeting, focusing on a packed global agenda, though overshadowed by the absence of the United States’ top envoy.
This meeting, marking the first time the foreign ministers have convened in Africa, is seen as a lead-up to the G20 summit in November. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will kick off the discussions at 2:00 PM local time (1200 GMT).
South Africa, the first African nation to hold the G20 presidency, assumed the role last year, aiming to amplify the voices of poorer countries in global economic matters. The G20 includes 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union, accounting for over 80% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population.
However, the United States will not attend the talks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced his boycott, accusing South Africa of pursuing an “anti-American” agenda. The absence of the US will likely be felt, especially as ongoing conflicts in Africa and Europe dominate discussions, according to South Africa’s Ambassador to the UN, Xolisa Mabhongo.
The geopolitical context in which this meeting is occurring is significant, with rising tensions over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The US’s strained relationship with its European allies, particularly in light of recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, has further complicated the situation, said Priyal Singh of the Institute for Security Studies. This rift threatens to undermine South Africa’s efforts to push for a united developmental agenda.
Despite the absence of the US, other key global players have confirmed attendance, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as counterparts from China and India. European diplomats from France and the UK are also expected. The US will be represented by Dana Brown, the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Pretoria.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola reassured that the absence of the US is not a complete boycott but acknowledged that Rubio’s absence would detract from the focus of the meeting. Analysts like William Gumede warn that the US’s snub sends a symbolic message that America is not taking Africa seriously, especially after the US recently froze vital aid to the continent.
Tensions have also flared between Washington and Pretoria over a range of issues, including South Africa’s land policy and its stance on Israel. US accusations about South Africa’s land confiscation policies, based on racial grounds, have been strongly rejected by Pretoria.
With the US skipping next week’s G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Cape Town, analysts like Gumede are left wondering whether South Africa can turn this setback into an opportunity.
