Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa said his US counterpart Donald Trump’s announcement that South Africa will not be invited to the G20 during America’s presidency was “regrettable”.
Trump has continued with “punitive measures” despite efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US, the presidency said in a statement.
The US president has continued his tirade against South Africa, following on his decision that there would be no US government participation at the G20 Leaders’ Summit hosted last weekend by South Africa as it ended its year-long presidency of the forum.
Calling the Summit hosted by South Africa this year as one of the most successful summits, he said, “The summit produced a declaration that affirmed the indisputable strength and value of multilateralism in response to the most pressing challenges facing the world.”
Addressing the remarks by Trump, President Ramaphosa said, “South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20. We call on members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, based on consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures. It is regrettable that despite the efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US, President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country.”
He added, “Its G20 membership is at the behest of all other members. South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democratic country and does not appreciate insults from another country about its membership and worth in participating in global platforms. South Africa respects the sovereignty of all countries and will never insult or demean another country or its standing and worthiness in the community of nations.”
The South African President said in the post that as the United States was not present at the summit, instruments of the G20 Presidency were duly handed over to a US Embassy official at the Headquarters of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
“As one of the founding members of the G20, South Africa has always valued the spirit of consensus, collaboration and partnership that defines the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. In keeping with this approach, the United States was expected to participate in all the meetings of the G20 during South Africa’s Presidency but unfortunately, it elected not to attend the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg out of its own volition.”
He appreciated the participation by US entities such as businesses and civil society organisations in large numbers in G20 related activities such as the B20 and the G20 Social.
