South Africa Rejects US Pressure, Defiant on Policy
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, South Africa is standing firm against U.S. pressure to change its policies, with Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola dismissing any possibility of caving in to Washington’s demands.
This firm stance follows a direct threat from the United States to potentially exclude South Africa from Group of 20 (G20) meetings when Washington assumes the presidency of the group.
Addressing Senator Marco Rubio directly, Lamola stated, “Mr. Rubio, the world is watching and is tired of double standards. We do not need your approval for the path we have chosen.”
Adding to the tension, Cyril Ramaphosa, the spokesperson for the President of South Africa, indicated that South Africa might not participate in G20 meetings during the U.S. presidency.
The disagreements between the two nations have intensified over a range of domestic and foreign policies, reaching a critical point after Washington’s absence from a recent G20 meeting in Johannesburg. A key point of contention is South Africa’s complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Tensions were further strained when Donald Trump declined to accept the symbolic G20 presidency handover from South Africa at the conclusion of the Johannesburg summit.
In response, South Africa handed over the rotating presidency to a representative from the U.S. embassy in a simple ceremony at the Foreign Ministry, emphasizing the need for Washington to participate “at the appropriate level.”
