No diplomatic dispute with US, only G20 handover protocol, says DIRCO

Johannesburg
BN

Babalo Ndenze

23 November 2025 | 10:11

DIRCO Spokesperson Crispin Phiri clarified that the only matter in question is the official handover of the G20 presidency to the United States.

No diplomatic dispute with US, only G20 handover protocol, says DIRCO

South Africa is hosting world leaders at Africa’s inaugural G20 Summit. Picture: GCIS.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) states there is no diplomatic dispute with the United States that requires resolution.

DIRCO Spokesperson Crispin Phiri clarified that the only matter in question is the official handover of the G20 presidency to the United States. The handover was scheduled to take place today, at the conclusion of the two-day Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

Phiri emphasised that the issue centred on the level of US representation:
"You can’t send a junior official to the G20 to be handed over. It’s not a matter of dispute, it’s straight up respect."

He confirmed that the handover will still occur, but will be a more low-key and technical event instead of the anticipated official ceremony.

"We will be able to hand over at a technical level. There are a number of things that we have to hand over to the US for the smooth continuation of the G20, so that’s what’s going to happen."

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