On February 20 to 21 South Africa will host the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Johannesburg.
The ministerial meeting will set the tone for the G20 Summit in November 2025.
The G20 Summit offers South Africa a platform to showcase its prowess as a country, open opportunities for the region and assert its position as a champion of multilateralism.
The upcoming G20 beyond gathering symbolic capital for South Africa, it is also historic as this event will not return to the global south for another decade or so.
The G20 Summit, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in November 2025, aims to promote solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
The theme of "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability" was chosen by South Africa to address the global polycrisis. While preparations are abuzz for hosting of the G20 Summit in South Africa, there are forces irked and set to undermine South Africa's efforts as a world player.
In a shocking move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he will not attend the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting, citing ongoing abuses by the South African government, including the expropriation of private property.
According to Rubio, the reason for his boycott is the series of so-called negative, backsliding steps taken by Pretoria, which have cast a pall on the relationship between the two nations. This decision has sparked a heated debate about the state of South Africa-US relations and the implications of Rubio's boycott.
South Africa's decision to relocate the Taiwan liaison office in Pretoria is another point that sparked tension with the US.
However, South Africa maintains that it's perfectly capable of making its own sovereign decisions, and this move is an assertion of its policy sovereignty.
The relocation of the Taiwan liaison office is a rebranding effort, changing its name to a Trade Office, which is standard diplomatic practice.
This move aligns with South Africa's decision to sever political and diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997, consistent with the United Nations General Assembly resolution 2758.
Resolute and Steadfast South Africa
South Africa has stood firm on its decisions in demonstration of commitment to its sovereignty and diplomatic independence.
The country is not afraid to assert its rights and make decisions that align with its own interests, rather than bowing to external pressure.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Rubio's claims, stating that the US Secretary of State's assertions about land confiscation are unfounded and misleading.
Statements made by Marco Rubio are in line with the executive order signed by President Trump on February 7, stopping all aid to South Africa.
Similar to Rubio’s tantrum, the executive order is also founded on misinformation that the recently enacted Expropriation Act enables the South African government to “seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation”.
The relationship between South Africa and the United States has been strained in recent years, with disagreements over issues such as land reform and trade policies.
Rubio's boycott has further exacerbated tensions, with some accusing the US of imposing its will on South Africa and disregarding the country's sovereignty.
South Africa needs to continue being resolute in its stance and demonstrate to the region and the world that it is perfectly capable of making its own sovereign decisions.
The spat by the US aims to challenge the very character of the upcoming G20 Summit, which is informed by principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
Given a space to manifest these principles are set to serve as a foundation to further strengthen an all-round multilateralism and strong positioning of the global south in the larger geopolitical space.
The G20 Summit provides a critical platform for nations to come together and address pressing global issues.
The US imbroglio towards the upcoming G20 sends a worrying signal about the US's commitment to multilateralism and its willingness to engage with nations that do not share its interests.
As the global landscape continues to shift, the importance of multilateralism and cooperation cannot be overstated as reflected by South Africa’s steadfastness in its sovereign stance, diplomacy and cooperation.
A Call to Action
As the world watches the unfolding drama between the US and South Africa, it is essential to remember the importance of diplomacy and cooperation.
It is crucial that nations prioritize diplomacy and cooperation with the aim of advancing multilateralism rather than allowing political differences to dictate their actions.
In the words of President Ramaphosa, "We must work together to address the challenges that face our world today. We must prioritize cooperation and multilateralism, rather than allowing our differences to divide us."
As the world moves forward, it is essential that nations heed this call to action and prioritize cooperation and diplomacy.
Support for the G20 Summit in South Africa
It is fortunate that amidst the US tantrums of boycotting the G20 and cutting aid to South Africa and the majority of the global south there still exist nations and various regional powers that fully support South Africa.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has confirmed his attendance at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced that the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting will provide a platform for Minister Wang Yi to engage with his counterparts from G20 member states, discussing pressing global issues and promoting China's position on international affairs.
Wang Yi's visit to South Africa is part of a broader diplomatic tour, which includes stops in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany.
The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also chair a UN Security Council high-level event in New York on February 18, focusing on "Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance".
An overview of the above themes and topics reveals similarities to those that inform the upcoming G20, stated as "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability".
The Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, H.E. Wu Peng recently expressed China's readiness to support South Africa’s G20 Presidency during a meeting on China-South Africa bilateral relations with H.E. Mr Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
The above statement echoes that of the Chinese New Year celebration reporting in South Africa where the veteran diplomat, Ambassador Wu Peng famously stated “If you know history, South Africa must be supported”.
Further support for South Africa's hosting of the G20 came from the European Council President Antonio Costa. Costa confirmed the European Union’s full support to South Africa's hosting of the G20 during a phone call with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Costa made remarks posted on X, expressing the European Union’s commitment to deepen ties with South Africa, as a reliable and predictable partner.
Costa added that he looks forward to the South Africa-EU bilateral summit on March 13 in South Africa. He concluded by expressing the EU’s unwavering support leadership of the G20 demonstrated by South Africa.
Costa commended South Africa’s ambition to strengthen multilateral cooperation and the Pact for the Future to address the most pressing global matters.
In a separate statement, Ramaphosa pointed out that South Africa and the EU share the same values of democracy, human rights, dignity and equality.
As South Africa navigates this complex geopolitical landscape, it is clear that the country will continue to stand its ground, refusing to bow to external pressure.
The world will be watching as South Africa delivers real results in commitment to its sovereign and diplomatic independence.
South Africa has proven to be resolute and steadfast in diplomatically defending its sovereign decisions.
Many believe that attempts at weakening and demonizing South Africa have failed. Instead, South Africa has gained support from old and new friends in its pursuit of strengthening multilateralism through diplomacy and cooperation.
*Paul Tembe is a Sinologist by training and the founder of SELE Encounters
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.