US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that he would not attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, scheduled for February 20-21, accusing the host nation of pursuing an “anti-American” agenda. Rubio made the announcement via a post on the social media platform X, expressing his dissatisfaction with South Africa’s political stance and policies.
In his post, Rubio wrote, “I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.” His decision is a clear indication of the growing tensions between the US and South Africa over issues related to land reform and broader political ideologies.
South Africa, which assumed the G20 presidency in December 2024, will host a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Johannesburg on February 20-21. The G20 summit, scheduled for November 2025, will be the first time South Africa hosts the prestigious gathering. The country has adopted the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” for its G20 presidency, focusing on issues that include inclusive economic growth, food security, and climate change.
Rubio’s decision to skip the summit comes just days after US President Donald Trump also criticised South Africa’s land reform measures. These policies, aimed at addressing the inequalities created during apartheid, have sparked controversy both within the country and abroad. On February 2, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to denounce South Africa’s land reform efforts, accusing the country of “confiscating land” and “treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.”
Trump further alleged that a “massive Human Rights VIOLATION” was occurring in South Africa, although he provided no supporting evidence for his claims. The issue of land ownership in South Africa remains a highly sensitive topic, with the majority of farmland still owned by white individuals decades after the end of apartheid. The government is under increasing pressure to implement reforms to redress the historic injustices of the apartheid era, during which land was forcibly taken from the Black majority.
In response to Trump’s allegations, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed the claims, defending his government’s land reform policy. Ramaphosa expressed his willingness to engage with US officials to explain the measures being taken to address land inequality. Furthermore, Ramaphosa reached out to key Trump ally Elon Musk to address what he described as “disinformation” being spread by the US president regarding the issue.
The controversy surrounding land reform in South Africa reflects deeper ideological divides, particularly around the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Since taking office, Trump has been vocal in his opposition to DEI policies, which he views as divisive. Rubio, a strong supporter of Trump’s political ideology, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that South Africa’s focus on DEI and climate change would detract from the US’s national interests.
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The G20 Johannesburg Summit, set to take place in November 2025, will mark the first time the summit is held in South Africa and on the African continent. South Africa’s presidency is seen as an opportunity to champion the interests of developing economies, particularly those in Africa and the Global South. Among the key priorities for the G20 presidency are promoting inclusive economic growth, food security, and using artificial intelligence and innovation to drive sustainable development.
Rubio’s absence from the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in February is a significant diplomatic move, reflecting ongoing tensions between the US and South Africa. While the US government has indicated that it will not take further action at this stage, the exchange of criticisms between the two nations highlights the potential challenges ahead as South Africa looks to strengthen its leadership role in the global economic and political arena.
As the G20 Foreign Ministers meet in Johannesburg later this month, South Africa will be keen to address the challenges it faces in promoting solidarity and sustainability on the world stage, despite the growing opposition from the US. The diplomatic standoff between the two nations serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play in global geopolitics, especially when dealing with issues of national interest, economic reform, and international cooperation.
