Trump’s banning me from 2026 G20 summit regrettable – President Ramaphosa

By Babajide Adekunle

 

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has described as “regrettable” the US President Donald Trump’s decision to ban him from attending G20 summit in 2026. The US is the next host of the bilateral meeting after its immediate past host, South Africa. In a statement he issued, President Ramaphosa said that his administration made “efforts and numerous attempts” … “to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US.” He said that, in spite of this, “President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country.” Ramaphosa adds that South Africa is “a member of the G20 in its own name and right.”

“Its G20 membership is at the behest of all other members. South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democratic country and does not appreciate insults from another country about its membership and worth in participating in global platforms,” he stated.

President Ramaphosa said that “South Africa respects the sovereignty of all countries and will never insult or demean another country or its standing and worthiness in the community of nations,” averring that “South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20.”

He adds, “We call on members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, based on consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures.”