South Africa Seeks G20 Support Against US Exclusion

Key Takeaways

• The South African government has formally requested that other G20 countries object to its exclusion from next year’s G20 meetings
• The US government has informed South Africa that it is not invited to participate in any G20 events during its presidency, including the 2026 Leaders’ Summit
• The exclusion of South Africa from the G20 troika is seen as a breach of norms, as member states can only be uninvited through consensus
• The South African government is concerned about the precedent that this exclusion will set for future G20 presidencies
• The issue is expected to be discussed at the first G20 Sherpa Meeting in Washington DC

Introduction to the G20 Exclusion
The South African government has taken a formal stance against its exclusion from next year’s G20 meetings, requesting that other G20 countries object to this decision. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) sent an official "note verbale" to the embassies and high commissions of the G20 countries, expressing its concerns about the exclusion. The note stated that the US government had informed South Africa on December 4 that it was not invited to participate in any G20 events during its presidency, including meetings of the sherpas, working groups, ministers, as well as the 2026 Leaders’ Summit.

The G20 Troika and its Significance
The G20 troika comprises the current, immediate past, and next presidencies of the forum, providing continuity in the running of the G20 between different presidencies. In normal circumstances, South Africa would have remained on the troika during the US presidency next year, along with the US and the UK, which will take over the presidency for 2027. However, the US government has decided to forego the troika format during its presidency, effectively excluding South Africa from the G20 troika. This decision is seen as a breach of norms, as member states can only be uninvited through consensus.

South Africa’s Request for Clarification
Dirco’s note verbale requested that the issue of South Africa’s exclusion be placed on the agenda of the first G20 Sherpa Meeting in Washington DC for discussion and clarification. The note also highlighted the distinction between the US’s decision to exclude South Africa and its own decision not to participate in the majority of meetings held under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, including the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is concerned about the precedent that this exclusion will set for future G20 presidencies and has asked other G20 countries to object to its exclusion.

Reactions to the Exclusion
Zane Dangor, Dirco’s director-general and South Africa’s G20 sherpa, stated that Dirco had not yet received any responses to its letter. However, he added that most sherpas have indicated that they will take up the breach of norms around the fact that member states of the G20 can only be uninvited through consensus. In an interview with News24, Dangor said that South Africa believed that if the US went ahead without South Africa, then it would not be a G20, but a meeting of the US and some G20 countries. He confirmed the basic accuracy of these remarks to Daily Maverick.

Implications of the Exclusion
The exclusion of South Africa from the G20 meetings has significant implications for the country and the G20 forum as a whole. It sets a precedent for future presidencies to exclude member states without consensus, which could lead to a fragmentation of the G20 and undermine its effectiveness. The South African government is concerned about the impact that this exclusion will have on its ability to participate in global economic decision-making and to promote its national interests. The issue is expected to be discussed at the first G20 Sherpa Meeting in Washington DC, where other G20 countries will have the opportunity to object to South Africa’s exclusion and to clarify the norms and procedures of the G20.

Conclusion
The South African government’s formal request for other G20 countries to object to its exclusion from next year’s G20 meetings highlights the significance of this issue for the country and the G20 forum as a whole. The exclusion of South Africa from the G20 troika is seen as a breach of norms, and the country is concerned about the precedent that this will set for future G20 presidencies. The issue is expected to be discussed at the first G20 Sherpa Meeting in Washington DC, where other G20 countries will have the opportunity to clarify the norms and procedures of the G20 and to promote the principles of inclusivity and cooperation that underpin the forum.