In spite of the absence and protest from Washington, G20 members at the Johannesburg Summit were able to agree upon passing a declaration of support measures to address climate change. President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday (Nov 23) that the declaration from this weekend’s group of 20 Summit reflected a “a renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation”, concluding a meeting that pitted him against his US counterpart. As host of the Johannesburg Summit Ramaphosa, pressed forward with the declaration addressing challenges like the climate crisis despite objections from US President Donald J. Trump, who boycotted the event. All in all, the attendant leaders and diplomatic delegations were able to accomplish more without Washington’s presence.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Ramaphosa said the declaration showed world leaders’ “shared goals outweigh our differences”. US President Donald Trump boycotted the Nov 22-23 summit on the grounds of allegations, which have been comprehensively falsified, that the host country’s Black majority government persecutes its white minority. Trump had also rejected South Africa’s agenda of helping developing nations transition to clean energy, cut their crippling debt costs and adapt to climate change-induced weather disasters. But Ramaphosa secured consensus from the leaders present, aside from Argentina, which did not object to a declaration being made without it. It was the first G20 summit in Africa and the joint declaration used the kind of language long disliked by the US administration. The document stressed the seriousness of climate change and the need for adaptation, praised ambitious renewable energy targets and decried hefty debt service charges suffered by poor countries.
The summit came as tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine fracture the transatlantic alliance, and after unavailing climate talks at COP30 in Brazil, in which oil-producing and high-consuming nations prevented mention of fossil fuels driving the crisis going in the final declaration.
President Trump is out-of-touch and ill-informed as regards to the situation on the ground in South Africa. It has already been noted previously that the attacks in South Africa’s rural veld are indiscriminate. Both Black farmworkers and white farmers are under attack. It is true that Ramaphosa has not been able to settle or protect those suffering from such attacks and he should be engaging thamore. But Trump should come here and see the situation for himself to make an informed judgement rather than rely on the judgement of others (the right-wing American media). Fortunately, the Summit was a success and the US will still be able to chair next year’s 2026 Summit despite Washington having not participated in the Summit this year. Ramaphosa possibly had a simpler task of finalising the declaration among the attendant leaders and high-profile delegates with out Trump or US Vice President JD Vance’s presence.
Oil-producing and high-consuming nations such as Saudi Arabia which previously opposed any progress for developing nations in transitioning to environmentally friendly green energy is now in mutual agreement with the declaration. The US rivals Saudi Arabia and other fossil-fuel nations in coal and oil production. Trump supports the fossil fuel industry at home as it creates jobs.
South Africa has, however, secured crucial diplomatic backing from China for the assembly of the world’s wealthiest and leading emerging economies. Members should “not allow anything to diminish the value, stature and impact of the first African G20”, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told the opening session, in what was seen as a veiled reference to Washington’s boycott and threat to veto the resolutions. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The event “carries the hopes and must reflect the aspirations of the people of this continent and of the world”, Ramaphosa said, emphasising the historic significance of the two-day summit for Africa.
The summit had “a responsibility not to allow the integrity and the credibility of the G20 to be weakened”, he added. China has appeared to criticise the US stance, with Premier Li Qiang pledging to strengthen coordination on platforms such as the Group of 20.
Beijing’s high-profile support for South Africa will bring the two nations closer together. Washington may have closed its gates to Pretoria and the promise South Africa holds as the ‘gate way’ to Southern Africa but where one door closes shut, another opens wide with opportunity. The only matter South Africa needs to be weary of, is China and even Russia’s interests. Yes, the regimes in Beijing and Moscow are more reasonable in their approach than the Trump administration. Beijing in particular manages to maintain the ties it forges with international partners. South Africa is a regional influencer that must prove its worth as a nation that must be dealt with on an equal footing. South Africa must have both multiple legs and arms in the G20, BRICS Plus bloc and above all the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Multi-tasking through all regional power blocs could offer Pretoria the mechanisms and connections to regrow the country’s economy. The United States under Trump’s leadership style is risking isolating itself at its own detriment. Non the less the G20 this week was able to get more done without their being concerned about US interference.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
