World leaders are gathering in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic capital, this weekend for the annual Group of 20 (G20) leaders’ summit – the first ever to be held in an African country amid a boycott by the United States over widely discredited claims that the host country mistreats white people.
About 42 countries and institutions will be represented at the meeting that starts on Saturday, but the US under President Donald Trump — who has condemned South Africa’s position as host — will be conspicuously absent.
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Washington, a founding member of the group, is next in line to take over the rotating presidency from Pretoria, and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to symbolically hand over to an empty chair if necessary.
On Thursday, Ramaphosa said the US had reached out at the last minute to agree on some kind of participation, but did not disclose details. But within hours, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt hit back, accusing Ramaphosa of “running his mouth,” insisting that the US position had not changed, and that the South African leader’s comments were “not appreciated by the president [Trump] or his team.”
She did, however, indicate that the US would send an official for the handover ceremony, as it takes over the G20’s presidency from South Africa. Acting US ambassador to South Africa Marc D Dillard might be the official tasked with this responsibility, though this has not yet been confirmed.
Despite the drama over the US attendance, Johannesburg has been buzzing with activity all week in preparation for the summit, as workers clean up and decorate the bustling city. Ramaphosa himself drew surprise when he donned dungarees and picked up cleaning tools.
Bright flowers and colourful G20 billboards adorn the streets through which dignitaries will pass on their way from the OR Tambo International Airport into the city.
At least 3,500 extra police officials have been deployed to bolster security for the high-level guests, while the army has been placed on standby.
Some South Africans, though, have voiced criticism of the expensive event, pointing to the economic challenges the country faces. Several protests by organisations from climate action groups to women’s rights defenders are also planned around the airport and the venue of the summit.
Here’s what we know about the summit:
Banners featuring European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Angola’s President Joao Lourenco are displayed inside the secured area of the G20 summit venue ahead of the meeting scheduled for November 22–23, » …