South Africa says US boycott of G20 is coercion by absentia'

"South Africa has accused the US of attempting coercion by absentia after Donald Trump's administration confirmed it would boycott the G20 meeting in Johannesburg and said no final statement by G20 leaders could be issued without its presence. The US sent a note last weekend confirming none of its officials would be attending the G20 leaders' summit on 22 to 23 November, the first to be held in Africa, and that it would not accept any declaration issued at the end of it."

"The note from the US embassy in Pretoria said that the US would accept only a chair's statement rather than a leaders' declaration, according to AFP. The note read: South Africa's G20 priorities run counter to US policy views, and we cannot support consensus on any documents negotiated under your presidency. The US opposes issuance of any G20 summit outcome document under the premise of a consensus G20 position without US agreement."

South Africa accuses the United States of coercion by absentia after the US confirmed it will boycott the G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg and will not accept a final leaders' declaration without US participation. The US embassy in Pretoria said no US officials will attend the summit on 22–23 November and that the US will accept only a chair's statement rather than a leaders' declaration. The US stated South Africa's G20 priorities run counter to US policy views. South Africa prioritizes debt sustainability for low-income countries and financing a just energy transition away from fossil fuels. South African officials warned that allowing coercion by absentia would risk institutional paralysis and undermine collective action.

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