By Rahim Abdul
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep disappointment following an unexpected announcement by United States President Donald Trump that South Africa will not be allowed to participate in next year’s G20 summit scheduled to take place in Florida.
The decision stems from allegations by President Trump that South Africa refused to extend the G20 presidency protocol to the office of the US ambassador in Pretoria during this year’s summit hosted in Johannesburg.
According to Trump’s message posted on his social media platform, this act amounted to disrespect and warranted a strong reaction.
President Ramaphosa described the remarks as regrettable and said they risk undermining long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He emphasized that South Africa had observed all established procedures during the 2025 summit and followed international guidelines governing G20 engagements.
The US administration has reportedly gone further by announcing intentions to deny entry visas to South African citizens during the summit period next year.
This development has raised concerns among business communities, students and families who often travel between the two nations.
In Pretoria, government officials say they are assessing the implications of the announcement and exploring formal channels to seek clarity from their American counterparts. They insist South Africa remains committed to multilateral cooperation and inclusive global dialogue.
Regional leaders across Africa have also begun watching the matter closely, viewing it as a potential test of how global powers engage with developing nations within influential platforms such as the G20.
Some fear the dispute could set a precedent for politically motivated exclusions.
Despite the tensions, South Africa maintains it will continue to uphold its responsibilities as a G20member.Ramaphosa urged calm, stating that diplomatic solutions should prevail and that global forums must not be used to sow division.
