Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed Pretoria consistently opposes Washington’s positions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that the US will not participate in upcoming G20 events hosted by South Africa.
This decision, which was first reported by the media last week, arises from increasing tensions between the two countries. President Donald Trump’s administration has accused South Africa of supporting what they term a racially motivated “genocide,” a claim President Cyril Ramaphosa has refuted as a “completely false narrative.”
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Rubio stated that the boycott was due in part to the events’ agenda not aligning with the current administration’s priorities. He also noted South Africa’s general alignment with nations like Iran and China, which the US considers strategic adversaries.
”When a nation consistently disagrees with the United States on numerous issues, it necessitates drawing conclusions about that relationship,” the Secretary of State stated.
Rubio also criticized Pretoria’s stance on Israel, calling it heavily biased.
In 2023, South Africa brought a case before the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide due to its military actions in Gaza. In January 2024, the court issued an injunction against Israel, which the Israeli government has not observed.
The hostilities began with a deadly incursion by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023 and have since developed into a wider regional crisis. Israeli officials have described their renewed military campaign as an effort to “conquer” Gaza.
Rubio’s comments coincided with Ramaphosa’s arrival in Washington, aiming to “reset and revitalize bilateral relations,” according to his office. President Trump is expected to meet with the South African leader on Wednesday to discuss trade proposals presented by his government.
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