Trump Excludes South Africa from 2026 G20 Summit Amid Diplomatic Dispute

President Donald Trump has announced that South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, Florida, citing the country's refusal to hand over the G20 presidency to a U.S. Embassy representative at the recent Johannesburg summit. Trump also reiterated allegations of human rights abuses against white Afrikaners in South Africa, claims that have been widely discredited.

In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed regret over the U.S. decision, emphasizing that South Africa remains a full and active member of the G20. He stated that the U.S. was expected to participate in all G20 meetings during South Africa's presidency but chose not to attend the Johannesburg summit. Consequently, the G20 presidency instruments were handed over to a U.S. Embassy official at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The U.S. had boycotted the Johannesburg summit, the first G20 meeting held in Africa, over unsubstantiated claims of persecution of the white minority in South Africa. Despite the absence of the U.S., the summit concluded with a joint declaration committing to multilateral cooperation on climate change mitigation and economic inequality.

South African officials have called for solidarity among G20 members and urged the defense of the gathering's integrity and the rights of all member states. They have consistently rejected the U.S. allegations as misinformation and distortions about the country.