G20 Summit Concludes in South Africa Amid U.S. Boycott

The G20 Leaders’ Summit concluded in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a historic moment as it became the first summit hosted on the African continent. This year’s gathering was notably characterized by the absence of the United States, which boycotted the event, a move that has not been seen in previous summits. The summit also stood out for its early issuance of a joint declaration, a departure from the traditional practice of concluding the event with such a statement.

Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, expressed optimism as the summit wrapped up on Sunday, March 15, 2024, stating, “In a nutshell … this has been a great success for our country.” The summit’s host, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, formally closed the meeting by banging a ceremonial gavel, which signified the transition of the G20 presidency to the United States for the next year. This handover is set to occur on Monday between officials of equal rank, as the customary transfer to President Donald Trump did not take place.

The U.S. administration had requested that Ramaphosa transfer the gavel to a junior embassy official, a request that was declined. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, emphasized that such a breach of protocol had never occurred before and would not happen at this summit.

The absence of the U.S. was felt throughout the event. The Trump administration had criticized the summit’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), claiming it detracted from pressing economic issues. Despite U.S. objections, Ramaphosa announced the successful consensus on a joint declaration at the beginning of the meeting, which was issued without U.S. input. This declaration highlighted significant global issues, including climate change and gender equality, which the Trump administration had previously rejected.

While the G20 declarations are non-binding, Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the White House, condemned the early issuance, accusing Ramaphosa of obstructing a smooth transition of leadership. Trump has expressed intentions to hold the next G20 meeting in Florida, where he aims to “restore legitimacy” to the group.

Not all meeting participants were in agreement with the declaration’s language. Javier Milei, the newly elected libertarian president of Argentina and a Trump ally, did not attend the summit but sent representatives. While he raised concerns regarding the declaration, it ultimately passed.

World leaders present at the summit acknowledged South Africa’s leadership. French President Emmanuel Macron notably praised Ramaphosa, even sharing a warm hug. Despite the positive sentiments, Macron pointed out the evident divisions among the leaders, highlighting that while Ramaphosa aimed to put “the Global South at the heart of the agenda,” other global conflicts overshadowed discussions.

Tensions also arose on the sidelines regarding geopolitical issues. European leaders expressed apprehensions about the U.S.’s new peace plan for Ukraine, suggesting it favored Moscow and required further refinement. Additionally, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva voiced concerns over a U.S. military buildup near Venezuela, indicating that the summit’s discussions extended beyond economic matters into security issues.

As the summit concluded, it became clear that while the gathering represented a moment of unity for many nations, significant geopolitical rifts remain, posing challenges for future cooperation as the G20 prepares for its next meeting under U.S. leadership.