The G20 summit in Johannesburg was meant to showcase South Africa as a confident global player and a champion of multilateral cooperation. President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted world leaders for two days of discussions on climate change, global conflict and economic recovery. Instead of a smooth diplomatic show, however, the summit was overshadowed by the conspicuous absence of the United States and a tense row over how to pass the G20 presidency from South Africa to Washington.
Despite the political drama, Ramaphosa closed the meeting with a firm bang of the gavel, signalling the end of South Africa’s term and the start of the US presidency. His actions and his closing speech underlined the message that Pretoria would not compromise on protocol or allow its leadership role to be undermined.
Ramaphosa’s Closing Message
In his final address to delegates, Ramaphosa acknowledged the difficult global backdrop but tried to emphasise unity and purpose. He noted that the leaders had gathered in the face of major economic and political challenges yet still managed to come together to pursue a better world.
As he concluded, Ramaphosa raised the wooden gavel and declared the summit closed, formally transferring responsibility to the next G20 president, the United States. That brief mention was the only direct reference he made to the country that had boycotted the event. The gesture captured the tone of the summit: South Africa fulfilled its responsibilities as host, even as one of the most powerful members remained absent.
Short Summary
Key Point |
Details |
|---|---|
Summit location |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
Summit duration |
Two day G20 leaders summit |
Main controversy |
US boycott of the summit and dispute over how South Africa should hand over the G20 presidency to the United States |
South Africa’s stance |
Ramaphosa insisted on following diplomatic protocol and refused to hand the gavel to a junior US embassy official |
US criticism |
The White House accused South Africa of refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency |
Key declaration focus |
Climate action, gender equality and support for just and lasting peace in multiple conflict zones |
Other dissenting voices |
Argentina declined to endorse the declaration, criticising its language on the Middle East |
Notable absentees |
Leaders from the United States, Russia, China, Mexico and Argentina did not attend in person |
Next summit venue |
Trump National Doral Miami golf resort in Florida in 2026 |
Official site link |
Official G20 information: www.g20.org |
US Boycott And Accusations Against South Africa
The United States did not send its president or a senior representative to Johannesburg. Instead, it boycotted the summit, citing long standing accusations that South Africa discriminates against white minority Afrikaners. These claims have been widely criticised and dismissed by many observers, but they became the official justification for the US decision to stay away.
From Pretoria’s perspective, the boycott was a serious snub. South Africa had promoted the summit as a demonstration of G20 solidarity and as a moment for the African continent to be at the centre of global decision making. The absence of the American president took some shine off that effort even as most other G20 members participated and engaged in negotiations.
The Handover Row: Protocol Versus Politics
Beyond the boycott, one of the most contentious issues was the handover of the G20 presidency. Since the United States will host the next summit at the Trump National Doral Miami resort in Florida, Washington expected a ceremonial transition.
The US side proposed that Ramaphosa hand the gavel and formal presidency to a relatively junior official from the American embassy. South African officials pushed back, arguing that this arrangement would breach diplomatic protocol. They maintained that it would not be appropriate for a head of state to hand such responsibility to an acting ambassador or lower ranking official.
As a compromise, Pretoria offered to arrange a formal handover at South Africa’s foreign ministry, where a South African junior diplomat would pass the presidency to an equivalent US representative. That solution would preserve protocol by keeping the exchange between officials of comparable rank.
The United States was not satisfied. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly accused Ramaphosa of refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency and criticised South Africa for pushing ahead with a leaders declaration despite strong US objections. In Washington’s view, South Africa had used its role to undermine what it called the founding principles of the G20.
South Africa’s foreign minister Ronald Lamola responded succinctly, saying that from Pretoria’s side the ball had already moved and that it was now up to the United States to decide how it wanted to proceed.
G20 Declaration: Climate, Equality And Global Conflicts
Despite the disputes, South Africa pushed forward with a G20 leaders declaration. The document emphasised the urgency of tackling climate change and the need to advance gender equality. These priorities directly contrasted with many of the policies of the current US administration, which withdrew from the Paris climate agreement on the first day of President Trump’s second term and has rolled back a number of initiatives aimed at combating sexism, racism and homophobia.
The declaration also addressed several ongoing conflicts and crises. It included a commitment to work for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Ukraine, as well as a general pledge to help end other wars around the world. The broad wording reflected both the complexity of these conflicts and the diverse political positions within the G20.
Argentina’s Objections And Other Absences
Argentina added another layer of controversy. Its president, Javier Milei, did not attend the summit. Argentina’s foreign minister, Pablo Quirno, later announced that the country would not endorse the G20 declaration. He argued that the text addressed the long running Middle East conflict in a way that failed to capture its full complexity.
Several other high profile leaders were also absent. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, did not travel to Johannesburg, in part because he is wanted by the International Criminal Court, and South Africa is a signatory to the court’s statute. China’s president, Xi Jinping, chose not to attend and delegated the task to premier Li Qiang, continuing a pattern in which Xi has skipped some major gatherings. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, was also missing from the table.
The empty chairs highlighted the pressure that global forums like the G20 face at a time of intense geopolitical rivalry and domestic political constraints.
The Future Of The G20 After Johannesburg
The events in Johannesburg raise important questions about the future of the G20. The group, created in 1999 in response to the Asian financial crisis, was designed to give major emerging economies a voice alongside advanced industrialised countries. It originally included 19 nations plus the European Union, and in 2023 the African Union was admitted as a full member, marking a significant step for African representation.
South Africa’s presidency was meant to build on that momentum. Instead, it became a case study in how domestic politics and diplomatic protocol can complicate multilateral efforts. Yet the summit still produced a joint declaration and reaffirmed commitments on climate, equality and peace.
As the presidency passes to the United States, all eyes will turn to the 2026 summit at Trump National Doral Miami. The question now is whether Washington will use its term to strengthen the G20 as a platform for collective problem solving or to reshape it according to narrower national priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did the United States boycott the Johannesburg G20 summit?
The United States boycotted the summit while accusing South Africa of discrimination against white minority Afrikaners. These allegations have been widely challenged, but they were cited by Washington as the reason for not sending senior representation, including the president.
2. What was the main issue in the G20 presidency handover dispute?
The dispute centred on protocol. The United States wanted President Ramaphosa to hand the G20 presidency to a relatively junior embassy official. South Africa insisted that such a transfer would break diplomatic norms and offered an alternative handover between diplomats of equivalent rank at the foreign ministry instead.
3. Did the G20 summit still produce a final declaration?
Yes. Despite the US boycott and objections, South Africa led the effort to publish a G20 leaders declaration. The text focused on climate change, gender equality and the need for just and lasting peace in several conflict regions around the world.
4. Why did Argentina refuse to endorse the declaration?
Argentina objected to the way the declaration addressed the long standing Middle East conflict. Its foreign minister argued that the wording did not fully capture the complexity of the situation and therefore declined to support the document.
5. Where will the next G20 summit be held and who will host it?
The next G20 summit is scheduled for 2026 at the Trump National Doral Miami golf resort in Florida. The United States will hold the presidency for that year and will be responsible for setting the agenda and hosting the leaders meeting.
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