'We are all equal': Ramaphosa takes jabs at US, says no nation should be bullied by another

BOKSBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa took several jabs at the United States government on Thursday, saying that nations of the world should be viewed as equals and not be bullied by one another.

This comes as the incoming G20 host boycotts the South African leaders’ summit and warned government not to attempt to adopt a consensus declaration this weekend that does not include the position of the US.

Receiving the declaration from the G20 Social Summit in Boksburg on Thursday, Ramaphosa said despite the global headwinds and geopolitical shifts, inequality has to be put at the forefront of the G20 agenda.

This is only the second social summit of the G20 programme, initiated by Brazil during its presidency last year.

Ramaphosa told the gathering that their inputs would direct the agenda of government leaders when they meet this weekend to chart the road ahead.

In a twist on a regular refrain by US President Donald Trump when he speaks about South Africa, Ramaphosa said the social summit of civil society groups had demonstrated what global solidarity and inclusiveness was all about.

"Beautiful things are happening in South Africa."

With the G20 representing two-thirds of the world’s population, Ramaphosa said all nations had the right to be heard.

"It cannot be that a country’s geographical location or income level or army determines who has a voice, and who is spoken down to. And it basically means there should be no bullying of one nation by another nation. We are all equal."

While it appears unlikely the social summit will feature on next year’s G20 programme, Ramaphosa said this grouping had become the compass for the bloc.