US EditionSouth Africa will hand G20 over to US 'empty chair', president says
South Africa will symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to an empty chair as the US skips the summit, aiming to maintain trade ties amid disputed human rights claims, officials said.
- On Friday, Nov 14, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa will symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to an 'empty chair' next week due to the absence of U.S. leadership, stressing the need to repair trade ties with Washington.
- Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said no government official would attend the Nov 22-23 summit, citing 'human rights abuses' and linking the boycott to Afrikaners.
- Preparations show Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the summit will proceed 'with or without the US,' with a media briefing set for Sunday, Nov 16, and safety plans in place for the Nasrec Expo Centre.
- Ramaphosa criticised the U.S. decision as 'their loss' and said the United States was relinquishing an important role while other G20 heads of state will attend and make fundamental decisions.
- A South African delegation in the US is finalising trade deal aspects after improved rounds, while officials say the United States relationship remains strategic and the United Kingdom actively participates.
11 Articles
11 Articles
South Africa will hand G20 over to US 'empty chair', president says
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday South Africa will symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to an "empty chair" in the absence of U.S. leadership at the summit next week, while stressing the need to repair trade ties with Washington.
Shockwaves in Global Diplomacy: Ramaphosa Set to Hand G20 Presidency to an Empty Chair as U.S. Snubs
Johannesburg — In a dramatic turn that has stunned political observers worldwide, President Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to hand over the G20 Presidency to an empty chair, following an unprecedented decision by the United States to boycott the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit the first ever hosted on African soil. The summit, scheduled for next weekend in Johannesburg, was set to mark a milestone for the African continent. Instead, it now risks being o…
SA-US Relations | 'Key G20 Absentees should not be taken lightly'
SA-US Relations | 'Key G20 Absentees should not be taken lightly' Ntandoyenkosi… Sat, 11/15/2025 - 14:53 File: US President Donald Trump greets the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, at the North Portico of the White House in Washington DC, USA, on May 21, 2025. JOHANNESBURG - The absence of key players from the G20 Summit should not be taken lightly. That's according to International and Diplomacy Studies Professor A…
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