World leaders arrived Friday in Johannesburg for the first-ever G20 summit hosted in Africa, aimed at prioritizing the challenges of developing nations. However, the event is clouded by a rift between South Africa and the United States, with Washington boycotting the summit.
The U.S., citing claims that South Africa is persecuting its white Afrikaner minority, called the summit a “disgrace” and refused to participate. President Donald Trump, who ordered the boycott, will pass the G20 presidency to the U.S. after the Johannesburg meeting.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country would not be “bullied” into dropping its leaders’ declaration, a customary non-binding document outlining broad agreements at G20 summits. The host country plans to focus on climate change impacts, debt burdens for poor nations, and rising global inequality.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, attending the summit, urged wealthy nations to support developing countries. “Many developing countries, especially in Africa, find themselves at the bottom of value chains,” he said, noting that G20 action could help address long-standing inequities.
Despite the U.S. absence, other leaders, including Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, emphasized the importance of cooperation and trade. The EU signed a new critical minerals agreement with South Africa ahead of the summit.
China and Russia are sending delegations, increasing their influence in Africa, though Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin will not attend. Analysts say the U.S. boycott could push developing nations to strengthen ties with other global powers.
Ramaphosa commented on the U.S. absence, saying, “Their absence is their loss.”
