'US exclusion of South Africa from G20 meetings a breach of rules'

International Relations and Cooperation Director-General, Zane Dangor characterised the exclusion of South Africa from upcoming G20 activities by the United States as a formal breach of the organisation’s regulations.

The diplomatic friction comes amid reports that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has not been granted accreditation to attend the meeting of G20 Finance Ministers in Washington.

Both Godongwana and South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago will be absent from the gathering, despite South Africa holding full membership status.

Speaking at the Cape Town Press Club, Dangor emphasised that South Africa’s participation is a right, not a privilege granted at the discretion of the host nation.

"The fact that we’re not part of the G20 is a breach of the rules of the G20 because we are not a guest country of the G20; we are a full member of the G20."

Dangor noted that the timing is particularly significant, as South Africa recently handed over the G20 presidency to the United States. He argued that the country’s status as a permanent member necessitates its presence at the table for all high-level ministerial discussions.

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The refusal to accredit Godongwana is being viewed by analysts as a sign of deepening geopolitical tensions between Pretoria and Washington. While the G20 operates on a consensus-based framework, the host nation typically manages the logistics of accreditation—a process Dangor suggests is being used improperly.

The Director-General confirmed that the matter was formally raised during the most recent meeting of G20 "Sherpas" (senior government representatives), but the issue remains unresolved.

South Africa is not standing alone in its protest. Dangor revealed that France has committed to raising the issue at the next G20 meeting, as the exclusion calls into question the very status and governance of the forum.

If the matter is not rectified, it suggests a shift in how the G20 operates, potentially allowing host nations to pick and choose which full members are permitted to attend specific ministerial tracks.