Johannesburg: South Africa has decided not to hand over the annual G20 Presidency to a “junior” US official at the end of the leaders’ summit, even as a White House official cautions Cyril Ramaphosa over “running his mouth” against the US and President Donald Trump.
South African President Ramaphosa adopted a reconciliatory approach on Thursday evening after the US requested accreditation for an eight-member team led by US chargé d’affaires, Marc Dillard, to receive the baton on Sunday.
However, late on Thursday evening, Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, posted a message on social media, saying the president will not hand over the G20 Presidency to a junior official.
The US government clarified that none of its top leaders would attend the all-important summit, saying a consular delegation would instead receive the G20 presidency.
In the absence of its ambassador, the US intends to send its chargé d’affaires (deputy ambassador), March Dillard, for the handover.
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a sharp rebuke to Ramaphosa, accusing him of spreading fake news about Washington reconsidering its decision to skip the G20 Summit.
The US government clarified that none of its top leaders would attend the all-important summit, saying a consular delegation would instead receive the G20 presidency.
In the absence of its ambassador, the US intends to send its chargé d’affaires (deputy ambassador), March Dillard, for the handover.
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a sharp rebuke to Ramaphosa, accusing him of spreading fake news about Washington reconsidering its decision to skip the G20 Summit.
