G20 Summit Begins Amidst US-South Africa Diplomatic Crisis as Erdoğan Arrives

WISE NEWS PRESS / JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — NOVEMBER 21, 2025

The G20 Leaders' Summit, hosted by South Africa, has commenced under the shadow of a significant diplomatic rift between the host nation and the United States, the incoming term president. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has arrived in the country to attend the gathering, which faces uncertainty regarding the official handover of the presidency.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly threatened to withhold the ceremonial transfer of the G20 presidency to the United States if Washington insists on participating only at the level of a Chargé d'Affaires. Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated firmly, "The President will not hand over the duty to a Chargé d'Affaires."

Ramaphosa decries "bullying"

President Ramaphosa sharply criticized the stance of US President Donald Trump and his administration towards the South Africa-hosted summit. "It is not possible for a country's geographical location, income level, or military power to determine who gets a say and who gets humiliated," Ramaphosa said. "This means that one nation should not be bullied by another. We are all equal."

Emphasizing that the summit should be a platform for mobilizing global partnerships rather than just a marketplace of ideas, Ramaphosa called for greater cooperation to end global inequality.

US downgrade and Trump's boycott

The diplomatic standoff stems from President Trump's decision not to attend the summit, citing allegations of "race-based discrimination" against the white minority in South Africa. Trump had previously labeled the decision to hold the meeting in South Africa as "a total disgrace." While Ramaphosa rejected the allegations of violence against whites and warned that a boycott would be "the US's own loss," tensions have escalated.

Despite recent statements by Ramaphosa suggesting ongoing negotiations for US participation, the White House confirmed that the US would not engage in official talks at the leader level. Diplomatic sources indicate that Washington informed the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation that a small delegation led by Marc D. Dillard, the Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Pretoria, would attend the handover ceremony. The US mission in South Africa is currently operating at the Chargé d'Affaires level due to the absence of an ambassador.

This decision has cast doubt on how the official transfer of the G20 presidency, scheduled for the closing session on November 23, will proceed.

Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg

Amidst the diplomatic turbulence, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in South Africa with a high-level delegation. He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, and other senior officials.

President Erdoğan is scheduled to attend two separate sessions at the Johannesburg EXPO Center tomorrow, hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders, and attend the official dinner hosted in honor of the visiting heads of state.

www.wisenewspress.com