By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The United States has written to South Africa, warning against making a G20 declaration without its presence at the leaders’ summit this weekend.
South Africa’s G20 Sous-Sherpa, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, has confirmed receiving the letter.
“We did receive over the communication from the United States, where they indicated that in their absence from the meeting, their preference is that there should be no declaration adopted.”
The US opposes issuance of any G20 summit outcome document under the premise of a consensus G20 position, without US agreement,” read the letter.
“If a deliverable is issued under your presidency, it will be framed solely as a chair’s statement to accurately reflect the absence of consensus.”
However, Mabhongo said, as the presidency of the G20, this does not depend on us. As the presidency, we are guided by the views of all G20 members and no country can just make an appeal to the presidents and say, I’m not in your meeting, so don’t have a declaration.”
The Johannesburg summit will revolve around three core sessions: inclusive and sustainable economic growth; building global resilience in areas such as disaster risk reduction, climate change and food systems; and shaping a fair and just future, with a focus on critical minerals, decent work and artificial intelligence.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said consensus can be reached for the adoption of the leaders’ declaration at the G20 summit, with or without the U.S. officials.
Lamola said South Africa was actively persuading attending countries to agree on a Leaders’ Declaration before the summit closes.
A total of 42 countries have confirmed their participation for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. This includes 20 member states (excluding the USA), 16 guest countries, and six countries representing regional economic communities in Africa, the Caribbean and East Asia.
French President Emmanuel Macron has signalled a firm support for Pretoria ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Macron made clear it would support a G20 declaration even in the absence of the United States, which has said it will oppose any outcome beyond a chair’s summary.
France will use the summit to reinforce Pretoria’s priority themes, including debt, climate, jobs and the G20@20 Review.
Beyond the G20, Macron will hold a bilateral meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and take part in a series of engagements, including a visit to Eskom’s training facility to discuss energy transition programmes supported by France through the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
He will also launch a new South Africa–France Business Council and attend a memorial event at Freedom Park honouring French nationals who supported the anti-apartheid struggle.
Macron’s Africa trip continues with stops in Angola for the EU–AU Summit (24 to 25 November), where France will push for stronger monitoring of the EU’s Global Gateway – the European Union’s strategy to boost investments in Africa’s digital, energy, and transport sectors.