News
Trump Accuses South Africa of Extermination Policies as G20 Tensions Rise
A harsh accusation that stunned South Africans
South Africans woke up to headlines that sounded almost unreal. United States President Donald Trump had once again taken aim at the country, this time claiming that South Africa was pursuing what he called policies on the extermination of people. Speaking in Washington alongside Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Trump announced that he would not attend the G20 Summit taking place in Johannesburg this coming weekend.
His words carried weight. They also carried anger. He said South Africa had behaved extremely badly and insisted that its conduct was unacceptable.
For a summit themed around rebuilding global trust and cooperation, the timing could not have been more jarring.
What triggered Trump’s latest attack
The comments came during a heated exchange with journalists in the United States. Reporters had raised questions about the movement of Palestinians from Gaza to other countries, something South Africa has fiercely criticised. Pretoria has said the proposal would amount to cleansing Gaza of its people.
Trump appeared to link that criticism to his long-standing allegation that South Africa targets white farmers. Last week, he claimed that Afrikaners were being killed and slaughtered and that their land and farms were being illegally confiscated. He then announced that no United States officials would attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
This latest accusation pushed the situation further, escalating tensions only days before world leaders arrive in the city.
South Africa’s stance
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has repeatedly called Trump’s claims regrettable and baseless. Officials have stressed that the country’s policies are grounded in constitutional commitments to human rights and non-racialism.
Despite Washington’s escalating rhetoric, preparations for the G20 Summit have continued. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola confirmed that the United States will still need to send representatives to Johannesburg if it wants a formal handover of G20 leadership. The United States is scheduled to take over the presidency of the group from South Africa and host the summit in 2026.
A summit under a global spotlight
The G20 gathering in Johannesburg is expected to bring together leaders from the world’s largest economies. China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang. The event marks the final chapter of South Africa’s presidency of the group.
Lamola, joined by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana at a briefing in Nasrec this week, said the summit will go ahead as planned. The expectation is that even without senior United States attendance, the ceremonial duties must still take place.
Public reaction
South African social media spaces have been buzzing. Many users expressed disbelief that such extreme language would be used by the leader of a major global power. Others questioned the political motivations behind the timing. Some saw it as an attempt to shift blame in global debates around Gaza.
What has remained clear is that the remarks have touched a raw nerve. For a country still navigating its own history of injustice, to be accused of extermination is not simply offensive. It is deeply inflammatory.
A bigger picture than one summit
Trump’s decision to avoid Johannesburg has symbolic weight, especially as South Africa attempts to position itself as a leader on global cooperation. The remarks also come at a time when African voices have become more assertive on international human rights issues and global governance reforms.
For now, South African officials seem intent on not allowing the controversy to derail a summit designed to bring major economies to the table. Whether diplomacy can smooth over the growing rift remains to be seen, but the world will be watching very closely.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: CBC
