By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced he will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, casting doubts on the ability of South Africa to preside over this major grouping of important countries.
His decision to skip the summit seemed to indicate he would also not attend the preparatory meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Johannesburg on 20 and 21 February, and has also raised doubts about whether President Donald Trump will attend the G20 in South Africa in November.
“South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change,Rubio said in a post on X Wednesday night of his decision.
It is unusual for a secretary of state to skip a G20 Summit, and Rubio’s absence carries the risk of the US being left out of deliberations by some of the world’s wealthiest countries, even as the Trump administration has crippled the US Agency for International Development.
Trump earlier this week said the US would cut off all funding to South Africa over the land policy.
The US has accounted for more than $8 billion in bilateral aid to the country over the last two decades.
Last month, Cyril Ramaphosa, the country’s president, signed a bill that gives the government the authority to take property in the public interest on the condition that the owner receives “just and equitable” compensation. It contains a provision for nothing to be paid in some instances, such as when land isn’t being used or has been acquired for speculative purposes with no concrete intention to develop it.
Elon Musk, Trump’s ally who was born in South Africa, has spread the conspiracy theory of a “genocide” against White farmers in the country.
The African National Congress, has long advocated expropriation to redress the legacy of Apartheid, which forbade most Black South Africans from owning property.
South Africa hasn’t confiscated any land, Ramaphosa said in a statement on Monday.
Minister of international relations and co-operation Ronald Lamola has affirmed SA’s commitment to sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law.
Lamola said there was no arbitrary dispossession of land or private property in SA.
“This law is similar to eminent domain laws.
“We are a sovereign and democratic country committed to human dignity, equality, and rights, championing nonracialism and non-sexism while placing our constitution and the rule of law at the forefront.
“Solidarity/ubuntu promotes collective problem-solving. Our G20 presidency is not confined to just climate change but also equitable treatment for nations of the Global South, ensuring an equal global system for all.
“These are important principles that we remain open to pursue and engage the US on,” Lamola said.