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G20 Foreign Ministers Meet in South Africa Amid US Absence and Rising Global Tensions
Top diplomats from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies are gathering in South Africa for a crucial two-day meeting. However, the high-level discussions are being overshadowed by the absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has opted to skip the event, citing concerns over Pretoria’s political stance.
As the first African country to hold the G20 presidency, South Africa faces the challenge of pushing a developmental agenda while navigating geopolitical tensions.
The G20, comprising 19 nations along with the African Union and European Union, represents over 80% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population. This year’s summit is particularly significant as it marks the first time the gathering of foreign ministers is being held in Africa.
South Africa’s presidency was meant to offer a platform for developing nations to voice concerns to wealthier counterparts. However, diplomatic tensions, particularly with the United States, are casting a shadow over the event.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s absence underscores Washington’s growing discontent with Pretoria. He accused South Africa of fostering an “anti-American” agenda, a claim dismissed by South African officials. Instead of Rubio, the US will be represented by Dana Brown, the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Pretoria.
Discussions at the G20 meeting are expected to focus on pressing global conflicts, particularly the ongoing wars in Africa and Europe.
South African Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo emphasized that geopolitical dynamics will be a major factor in the talks.
Priyal Singh, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, noted that the US absence highlights deeper tensions within the global power structure. “The elephant in the room is the geopolitical context in which this meeting is taking place,” Singh told AFP.
US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on the Russia-Ukraine conflict have further complicated matters. Trump appeared to blame Kyiv for Russia’s invasion, a remark that came shortly after US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, which notably excluded Ukraine.
Analysts warn that divisions between the US and its European allies could derail South Africa’s push for a unified developmental strategy within the G20.
Despite the absence of the US Secretary of State, key global figures such as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as high-ranking officials from China, India, France, and the UK, will attend the talks.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, sought to downplay the significance of Rubio’s no-show. “It might be at the lower level, but they will be represented. It’s not a complete boycott of South Africa’s G20,” he told reporters.
However, William Gumede, a professor of public management at the University of the Witwatersrand, warned that the absence of the US’s top diplomat could distract from the summit’s core discussions.
“It sends a symbolic message to Africans: the US is not taking Africa seriously,” Gumede said.
Adding to the tensions, the US recently froze critical aid to Africa, forcing many governments to scramble for alternative funding for essential services like healthcare. South Africa has also found itself in Washington’s crosshairs due to its land reform policies and legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Trump has previously accused President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of “confiscating” land from white farmers and discriminating against certain groups—a claim South Africa has strongly rejected as misinformed.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, some analysts see an opportunity for South Africa to assert its leadership on the global stage.
Gumede posed a crucial question ahead of the summit: “How can South Africa salvage this and turn the absence of the US into an opportunity?”
If Pretoria can successfully steer the G20 discussions toward economic cooperation and development, it may solidify its role as a key player in shaping global policies—whether or not the US is at the table.
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Sourced: AFP
