Trump Bars South Africa from 2026 G20 Over White Farmer Claims

US President Donald Trump has announced South Africa will be excluded from next year’s G20 summit. The decision follows the US boycott of the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg. Trump cited alleged human rights abuses against white farmers as the reason.

The President made the declaration in a lengthy social media post. He accused the South African government of permitting violence and land seizures. This move significantly escalates diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

US Absence and Accusations Dominate Summit Aftermath

The G20 Leaders’ Summit took place in Johannesburg last weekend. Many world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended. The United States, however, sent no delegation.

According to Reuters, Trump claimed South Africa refused to acknowledge human rights violations. He specifically referenced descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers. “They are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them,” Trump wrote.

The South African government has consistently denied these claims. Both officials and white community leaders have previously discredited allegations of a targeted genocide. The US stance has drawn international attention to the long-standing and complex land reform issue in the country.

Diplomatic Fallout and Conflicting Accounts

President Trump also stated South Africa snubbed a US official at the summit’s close. He claimed the host nation refused to hand over the G20 presidency gavel to an American embassy representative. This, he said, directly influenced his decision to disinvite them for 2026.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the decision “regrettable.” He emphasized his administration’s efforts to reset diplomatic relations with Washington. The situation presents a major challenge for bilateral relations.

The South African Presidency offered a different account of the gavel handover. They stated the instruments of the G20 presidency were duly handed over to a US Embassy official. This transfer occurred at the headquarters of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The exclusion of South Africa from the Miami G20 marks an unprecedented diplomatic rupture. It centers on fiercely contested claims that continue to shape global politics and international discourse.

Thought you’d like to know

What reason did Trump give for excluding South Africa?

President Trump cited alleged human rights abuses against white farmers. He claimed the South African government is complicit in violence and land seizures. This was his stated justification for the exclusion.

Where will the 2026 G20 summit be hosted?

The United States will host the 2026 G20 summit. The event is scheduled to take place in Miami, Florida. This will occur during the US presidency of the group.

How did South Africa respond to these allegations?

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the decision as regrettable. The South African government has consistently denied claims of a white genocide. They also provided their version of the G20 handover ceremony.

Did the US attend the recent G20 in South Africa?

No, the United States did not send a delegation to the Johannesburg summit. The country maintained its boycott despite the gathering of other world leaders. This absence set the stage for the current dispute.

Has Trump made these claims about South Africa before?

Yes, President Trump has repeatedly asserted these claims in the past. He has often spoken about the alleged persecution of the white minority. These statements have been widely disputed by fact-checkers and officials.