South Africa rejects G20 boycott despite US ban

The government stated that although it was dissatisfied with the United States' (US) decision to exclude it from participating in G20 engagements, it did not want member states to boycott the multinational grouping.

Citing his misinformed claims of a "white genocide" in South Africa, US President Donald Trump barred South Africa from taking part in G20 engagements under the US presidency.

READ: First meeting of G20 Sherpas under US presidency to get underway without SA

With the G20 Sherpa meeting currently underway in Washington, South Africa has asked member states to place America's aggression against Pretoria on the agenda.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Union Buildings on Monday, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said he hoped other countries would come to South Africa's defence.

"We are not going to ask countries to boycott G20 meetings and G20 processes. We were against the US boycott and we will not promote any form of boycott."

Magwenya added that G20 member states must voice their opinion on Trump's decision to ban South Africa.

"We have encouraged member states to express quite strongly their own views, as they have expressed to us their support as well as their reaction of the US decision, in a body that takes decisions through consensus."