South Africa criticizes US bullying.
Washington has asked South Africa not to issue a joint leaders’ statement after the summit, which will bring together about 40 countries, according to Turkey’s TRT.
Cyril Ramaphosa said at the opening ceremony of the summit on Thursday, in an indirect reference to Washington, that “geography or income or military strength of a country should not determine who has the right to speak and who should be humiliated.”
Speaking to civil society groups ahead of the November 22-23 summit in Johannesburg, he said: “There should be no bullying of one nation by another.”
Relations between South Africa and the United States have been strained this year over a number of external and domestic disputes.
In a note, the US embassy in South Africa confirmed its decision not to attend the summit, saying South Africa’s priorities at the G20 “are at odds with US policy views and we cannot support consensus on any document negotiated under your presidency.”
South Africa responded that the US’s absence from the event would render its role ineffective.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said the country would follow up on the leaders’ declaration.
Speaking after Ramaphosa’s remarks, he said: “No one can tell us not to issue a statement or not to make any decisions at the summit.”