TLE DESK: The G20 summit in South Africa opened on Saturday with an unexpected diplomatic twist, as world leaders approved a joint declaration at the very start of the two-day gathering — despite a high-profile boycott by the United States.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said all participating countries backed the 122-point declaration as the summit began in Johannesburg. The move was unusual: G20 communiqués are traditionally negotiated and endorsed only at the close of proceedings.
The document, shaped largely by South Africa, calls for greater global support for climate-vulnerable nations, reform of debt burdens, and fairer access to the benefits of natural resources — priorities Pretoria has pushed as the first African host of a G20 leaders’ summit.
US Boycott Casts a Shadow
The United States was notably absent. President Donald Trump ordered a full boycott in protest at what he claims is South Africa’s “violent targeting” of its Afrikaner white minority and objected to the summit’s focus on climate change and inequality.
Washington had also urged Pretoria not to proceed with a leaders’ declaration without US participation. South African officials said they refused to be pressured, insisting the document was unanimously backed.
In an awkward moment, President Ramaphosa began discussing the adoption of the declaration in what was meant to be a closed session — only to be interrupted when it emerged that the cameras were still transmitting live.
Argentina Breaks Ranks
Although Pretoria insisted all members approved the text, Argentina distanced itself. President Javier Milei, who is politically aligned with Trump, skipped the summit altogether and sent his foreign minister instead.
Ukraine Peace Talks on the Sidelines
While the formal sessions focused on global economic challenges, several leaders used the summit margins to discuss efforts to resolve the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Officials from France, Germany, the UK, Canada and Japan held side-meetings on a US-brokered peace proposal shaped jointly by Washington and Moscow. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that representatives from European capitals, the EU, the US and Ukraine would convene in Switzerland on Sunday for further talks.
The plan includes concessions such as territorial compromise — demands President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected.
In a joint statement, several Western nations said the proposal required further refinement and reiterated that national borders “must not be altered by force”.
South Africa’s Push for Justice for Developing Nations
Holding the rotating G20 presidency, South Africa used the forum to champion the concerns of low-income and climate-vulnerable states — from disaster recovery and debt relief to energy transition and resource sovereignty.
President Ramaphosa said South Africa “will not be bullied” into diluting the priorities of developing economies.
Despite the tensions, other leaders called for unity. “I regret it,” French President Emmanuel Macron said of the US boycott, “but it must not hinder our work.”
Pressure Over Summit Handover
The summit’s concluding moments are expected to be strained. The US is due to assume the G20 presidency after South Africa, but only a US embassy official will attend the ceremonial handover — a move Pretoria has described as disrespectful and potentially grounds to forgo the formal transfer entirely.
The G20 — comprising 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union — represents the majority of global GDP and population, but relies on consensus for its decisions. With divisions deepening between major powers, achieving that unity has become increasingly difficult.
