South Africa has announced it will not participate in the G20 meetings during the United States’ presidency next year, following its exclusion by the US.
The decision comes after the US confirmed it would not invite South Africa to the 2026 series, citing complaints about the country’s domestic policies.
“For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming,” said Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya on social media.
South Africa expects to resume participation when the G20 presidency passes to Britain in a year’s time.
Magwenya stated that South Africa does not expect other G20 nations to boycott the US presidency or lobby for its inclusion.
He, however, emphasized that other members should “register their displeasure with the US in defense of multilateralism and the spirit and purpose of the G20”.
The US has criticized South Africa over various policies, including alleged discrimination against the white Afrikaner minority, a claim Pretoria denies.
The Trump administration has imposed 30% trade tariffs on South Africa and expelled its ambassador earlier this year.
The G20, accounting for 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population, is a significant international forum.
South Africa’s exclusion marks a rare instance of a member country being barred from participation.
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