President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the Outreach Session of the Group of Seven or G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. Although South Africa is not a member of the international forum, President Ramaphosa was invited alongside the likes of the high-profile leaders of India, Brazil, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The G7 plus is known to comprise the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan. A special seat is reserved for the European Union (EU) Commission President (Ursula Von Der Leyen). Ramaphosa was scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with US President Donald J. Trump. However due to an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran Trump departed the Summit early for Washington to be briefed by his advisors.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s widely anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit failed to materialize, despite earlier diplomatic signals suggesting the two leaders were set for face-to-face talks on the sidelines of the high-profile gathering. However, the South African Presidency later clarified that a formal, dedicated bilateral meeting had not been scheduled, though an opportunity for informal interaction had been anticipated. The meeting, which was highly anticipated followed a tense exchange between the two leaders during a visit to Washington months earlier, where both sides clashed over allegations of racial discrimination against white farmers in South Africa. The missed encounter comes at a time when both countries are navigating sensitive geopolitical ground, and the failure to hold bilateral talks may be viewed as a diplomatic setback for Pretoria.
Ramaphosa has been walking a mine field would Trump. One false move and he could jeopardize South Africa’s trade ties with the United States. Ramaphosa for his part could not have foreseen the devastation that would erupt from Israel and Iran’s conflict which could become a full-scale war depending on how the Israelis play their cards. As a result, Trump could not meet with Ramaphosa this time around due to his attention being diverted to American security interests. But there could be other opportunities depending on how the future plays out. This could be especially true of other summits. Trump may not truly care about the “white farmers facing repression” issue any less than he would about the security issues of the United States and Israel. Ramaphosa will have to be patient and see what hopes and opportunities he can salvage in his meetings with other G7 members.
(Presidential Spokesperson Vincent) Magwenya says South Africa will continue to play a supporting role in ending conflicts. He says, “For some time now, President Ramaphosa has been quite consistent in calling for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East.” Magwenya says, “Part of that call was to ensure that this conflict that we’ve seen in Gaza does not extend to the rest of the region and so one of Canada’s priorities for this G7 is this threatening of peace and stability, where we are going to align with the position in so far as calling for a peaceful resolution of all conflicts, Russia and Ukraine, India and Pakistan, Iran and Israel. Now we will continue making that call that those conflicts have to stop.”
He says the Leaders’ Outreach session will focus on energy security, but geo-political tensions are likely to be addressed on the margins of the forum and in the President’s bilateral meetings with a number of leaders.
The Geopolitical conflicts that are occurring left, right and centre are a minefield of bombs in their own right. They pose a detriment to South Africa’s international trade relations as much as trade tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Pretoria may wish to join hands with the G7 and other foreign counterparts at the summit in Kananaskis in condemning the wars that are erupting in question. The conflicts in Ukraine and Iran would indeed be significantly terrible for trade if they escalate. Oil prices will skyrocket leading to a strain on South Africa’s economy. High petrol prices could be the final straw for South Africans back home. The fact that India and the UAE are also present at this summit presents an opportunity for Pretoria to participate in dialogue on the side lines to see if compromise cannot be reached.
Ramaphosa has been known for his intelligence and communications skills since he led the negotiations that led to the end of apartheid in 1994. Those negotiations skills and his diplomatic and leadership acumen are about to be tested to the limit on a tense international stage. President Ramaphosa had best be prepared.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
