Despite US tensions, SA confirms full G20 participation: ‘No reason to believe this will change’

South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, Zane Dangor, said the country has no plans to skip out on G20 meetings in the US when the next cycle of the bloc kicks off next week.

Washington snubbed the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which was currently underway at Nasrec in the south of Johannesburg, amid renewed tensions between the two states.

The US administration’s absence from the highly anticipated gathering put on ice the tradition of ceremoniously handing over the baton after the announcement of a Leaders’ Declaration.

South Africa is now expected to hand over the presidency to the US at a watered-down event in Pretoria next week—before the US hosts its first G20 meeting later this month.

The rift in bilateral ties between South Africa and the US has raised questions about the US possibly playing petty politics when it has its turn to play host.

Dangor said the country will continue to participate in talks between member states—despite concerns the US will lock South Africa out of talks.

“We are a member of the G20, we attend G20 meetings and there is at this stage, and there is no reason to believe this will change, that South Africa will not be attending meetings of the G20 starting next week.”